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A Bankrupt Heart 


A Novel 



FLORENCE MARRYAT 

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Author of " a Scarlet Sin," " How Like a Woman," " The Dead Man's Message, 
“The Risen Dead," "There is no Death,” etc., etc., etc. 




JUN 


1894 


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77J'/' 


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New York 

CHARLES B. REED, Publisher 
J 64 , 166 & 168 Fulton St 

1894 


1 



COPYRI3HT, 1894, BY 
AUGUSTA W. FLETCHER, M. D, 


All Rights Reserved, 


A Bankrupt Heart 


VOL. 1 



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5 


CHAPTER I. 

Miss Llewellyn was standing at the window of her own 
room, in the house of Lord Ilfracombe, in Grosvenor 
Square, gazing at the dust-laden and burnt-up leaves and 
grass in the gardens before her. It was an afternoon to- 
wards the close of July, and all the fashionable world was 
already out of town. Miss Llewellyn had been reared in 
the country, and she could not help thinking how that 
same sun, that had burnt up all the verdure of which Lon- 
don could boast, had glorified the vegetation of far-off 
Wales. How it must have enriched the pasture lands, and 
ripened the waving corn, and decked the very hedges and 
ditches with beautiful, fresh flowers, which were to be had 
for the gathering. Her thoughts went back to rural Usk, 
where King Arthur built a bower for Guinevere, and in 
fancy she felt the cool air blowing over its fragrant fields 
and woods. She heaved a deep sigh as she remembered 
the place of her birth, and, as if in reproach for such heresy 
to her present condition, she drew a letter from her pocket 
and opened its pages. 

Miss Llewellyn nominally held an inferior position in the 
house of the Earl of Ilfracombe. She was his housekeeper. 
Old-fashioned people, who associate their ideas of a house- 
keeper with the image of a staid, middle-aged woman whose 
sole business is to guard the morals and regulate the duties 
of the maidens of the establishment, would have stared at 
the notion of calling Miss Llewellyn by that name. All the 
same, she was a very fair specimen of the up-to-date house- 
keeper of a rich bachelor of the present time. With one 
exception, perhaps. She was handsome beyond the major- 
ity of women. Her figure was a model. Tall and graceful, 
without being thin, with a beautiful bust and shoulders, 
and a skin like white satin. Miss Llewellyn also possessed 
a face such as is seldom met with, even in these isles of 
boasted female beauty. Her features would have suited a 
princess. They were those of a carved J uno. Her abun- 


6 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


dant, rippling hair was of a bright chestnut color; her eyes 
dark hazel, like the tawny eyes of a leopardess; her lijDS 
full and red, and her complexion naturally as radiant as it 
usually is with women of her nationality, though London 
air had toned it down to a pale-cream tint. She was quietly 
but well dressed, too well dressed for one in her station of 
life, perhaps, but that would depend a great deal on the 
wages she earned and the appearance she was expected to 
make. Her gown of some light, black material, like mous- 
seline-de-laine, or canvas cloth, was much trimmed with 
lace, and on her wrists she wore heavy gold bangles. Her 
beautiful hair was worn in the prevailing fashion, and round 
her white throat was a velvet clasped by a diamond brooch. 
The room, too, which Miss Llewellyn occupied, and which 
was exclusively her own, was far beyond what we should 
associate with the idea of a dependent. It was a species of 
half study, half boudoir, and on the drawing-room floor, 
furnished by Liberty, and replete with every comfort and 
luxury. Yet Miss Llewellyn did not look out of place in 
it; on the contrary, she would have graced a far handsomer 
apartment by her presence. To whatever station of life 
she had been brought up, it was evident that circumstances, 
or habit, had made her quite familiar with her surround- 
ings. As she perused the letter she drew from her pocket, 
for perhaps the twentieth time, she looked rather pale and 
anxious, as though she did not quite comprehend its mean- 
ing. Yet it seemed a very ordinary epistle, and one which 
anybody might have read over her shoulder with impunity. 
It was written in rather an irregular and unformed hand 
for a man of thirty, and showed symptoms of a wavering 
and unsteadfast character. 

“ Dear N : I find I may be absent from England longer 
than I thought, so donT stay cooped up in town this beastly 
hot weather, but take a run down to Brighton, or any 
watering-place you may fancy. Warrender can look after 
the house. Malta is a deal hotter than London, as you may 
imagine, but I have made several friends here, and enjoy the 
novelty of the place. They wonT let me off, I expect, un- 
der another month or two, so I shall miss the grouse this 
season. However, Em bound to be back in time for the 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


partridges. Be sure and take a good holiday, and freshen 
yourself up. Have you seen Sterndale yet ? If not, you 
will soon. He has something to tell you. Whatever hap- 
pens, remember your welfare will always he my first con- 
sideration. Yours truly, Ilfracombe.” 

Miss Llewellyn read these words over and over again, 
without arriving at any conclusion respecting their mean- 
ing. 

“ What can he mean ? ” she thought. Why should I 
see Mr. Sterndale, and what can he possibly have to tell 
me that I do not already know ? I hope Ilfracombe is not 
going to do anything so stupid as to make a settlement on 
me, for I will not accept it. I much prefer to go on in the 
dear old way, and owe all I have to him. Has not my wel- 
fare always been his care ? Dear Ilfracombe ! How I wish 
I could persuade him to come home and go to Abergeldie 
instead. I am sure he runs a great risk out in that horrid 
climate, especially after the attack of fever he had last 
autumn. If he were to fall sick again, without me to nurse 
him, what should I do ? ” 

As she spoke thus to herself, she turned involuntarily to- 
wards a painted photograph which stood in a silver frame 
on a side table. It represented a good-looking young man 
in a rough shooting suit, with a gun over his shoulder. It 
was a handsome and aristocratic face, but a weak one, as 
was evidenced by the prominent blue eyes and the receding 
chin and mouth, which latter, however, was nearly hidden 
by a fiaxen mustache. It is not difficult to discover with 
what sort of feeling a woman regards a man, if you watch 
her as she is looking at his likeness. As Miss Llewellyn re- 
garded that of Lord Ilfracombe, her face, so proud in its 
natural expression, softened until it might have been that 
of a mother gloating over that of her first-born. So inex- 
tricably is the element of protective love interwoven with 
the feelings of every true woman for the man who possesses 
her heart. The tears even rose to Miss Llewellyn^s hand- 
some eyes, as she gazed at Lord Ilfracombe’s picture, but 
she brushed them away, with a nervous laugh. 

How foolish ! ” she said to herself, and when I am the 
happiest and most fortunate woman in all the world, and 


8 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


would not change my lot with the Queen herself. And so 
undeserving of it all, too ! 

Women who honestly love, invariably think themselves 
unworthy of their good fortune, when, perhaps, and very 
often, too, the boot (to use a vulgar expression) is on the 
other foot. But love always makes us humble. If it does 
not, it is love of ourselves, and not of our lovers. 

A sudden impulse seemed to seize Miss Llewellyn, and, 
sitting down to her pretty writing table, she drew out pen, 
ink and paper, and wrote hurriedly: 

'^My dearest, do you think I could enjoy a holiday with- 
out you ? No ! Whilst you are away, my place is here, 
watching over your interests, and when you return I shall 
be too happy to leave you. But come back as soon as you 
can. I don’t want to spoil your pleasure, but I am so 
afraid for your health. You get so careless when you are 
alone. Don’t go bathing in cold water when you are hot, 
nor eating things which you know from experience disa- 
gree with you. You will laugh at my cautions, but if you 
only knew how I love you and miss you, you would sym- 
pathize with my anxiety. ^ ” 

Miss Llewellyn had written thus far, when a tap sounded 
on the door of her room, and, on her giving permission to 
enter, a servant appeared, and addressed her with all the 
deference usually extended to the mistress of a house. 

If you please, ma’am, there is a young man and woman 
from Usk, below, who want to speak to you.” 

Miss Llewellyn became crimson, and then paled to the 
tint of a white rose. 

^‘From Usk, Mary,” she repeated. Are you sure ? I 
don’t expect anybody this evening. What is the name ? ” 
0, I’m quite sure, ma’am ! They said their name was 
Owen, and they asked particularly for Miss Llewellyn, the 
housekeeper.” 

“What is the young woman like?” 

“Bather nice looking, ma’am, that is, for a person from 
the country. I’m sure they’re not Londoners, from the 
way they speak, though I don’t know where Usk is; but 
she’s got nice curly hair, much the color of yours, ma’am.” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


9 


“Well, well, show them into the housekeeper’s room, 
Mary; or stay, as his Lordship is away, you may as well 
put them in the library, and say I will he with them in a 
minute.” 

As soon as the servant had left her. Miss Llewellyn ran 
up to her bedroom, with her hand tightly pressed over her 
heart, and commenced to rapidly pull off her ornaments, 
and to take a plainer dress out of her wardrobe. 

“If it should be a message from mother,” she murmured, 
breathlessly, as she stripped off her finery. “ They mustn’t 
go back and say they found me like this. Dear, dear 
mother! She would break her heart to find out the mean- 
ing of it all.” 

She threw the black -lace dress upon the bed, and, select- 
ing a quaker-looking fawn cashmere from her wardrobe, 
put it on instead, and, having somewhat smoothed down her 
rippling hair, she tied on a black silk apron, and took her 
way down to the library. She opened the door with a beat- 
ing heart, for she had begun to fear lest the strangers 
might prove to be the bearers of bad news to her; but, the 
moment she set eyes on the figure of the young woman, she 
gave vent to an exclamation of surprise and delight, and 
rushed into her extended arms. 

“ Hetty, Hetty ! ” she cried, hysterically, “ my own dear 
sister I 0, how is it you are in London ? AVhy did you not 
tell me you were coming? You have not brought bad 
news, have you ? 0, don’t tell me that mother is ill, for I 

couldn’t bear it I ” 

“No, Nell, no!” exclaimed the younger sister, “they are 
all as well at home as can be. Mother and father are just 
beautiful, and the crops first-rate. But we, that is, Will 
and I, thought we would give you such a grand surprise! 
We have such news for you! You’d never guess* it, Nell! 
Don’t you see who’s this with me? William Owen, our old 
playmate. Well, he’s my husband! We were married the 
day before yesterday.” 

“Married!” repeated Miss Llewellyn, incredulously. 
“ Little Hester, who was always such a baby compared to 
me, really married! This is a surprise.” And to prove 
how much she thought it so. Miss Llewellyn sat down on a 
sofa and burst into tears. 


10 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


0 Nelly, you are not vexed because we did not tell you 
sooner, are you ? cried Hetty, kneeling down beside her 
sister; ‘^we thought you would like the grand surprise, 
dear, and I made Will promise that the first thing he did 
was to bring me up to London town to see my beautiful 
sister Nell. And 0 Nell, you do look such a lady, Fm 
sure I feel so countrified beside you, I can^t say.” 

^^You look too sweet for anything,” replied Miss Llew- 
ellyn, kissing her, ‘^and I was only crying a little for joy, 
Hetty, to think you are so happy. But what a child to be 
married! AYhy, how old are you ? Not more than seven- 
teen, surely ! ” 

0 yes, Nell, you have not been home for such a time, 
you forget how it goes on. I was twenty-one last spring, 
dear, and you are twenty-four. But how different you are 
from what you used to be. Is it London life that makes 
you so grand? You look like a queen beside me. You 
must think I am a bumpkin in my wedding clothes.” 

“ Nonsense, dear Hetty. One is obliged to be more par- 
ticular in town than in the country. Besides, I am filling 
an important situation, you know, and am expected to dress 
up to it.” 

^^0 yes! I was telling Will all the way down from Usk, 
what a fine place you have, and such a rich master. 0 ! 
Nell, is he at home. Lord Ilfracombe, I mean? I should 
love to go back and tell them I had seen a lord.” 

‘‘No, Hetty ; he is away in Malta, and not likely to be 
back for some time. But lYe not spoken to my new 
brother-in-law yet. I suppose you can scarcely remember 
me. Will. Five years is a long time to be absent from the 
old home.” 

“01 remember you well enough,” replied the young 
man, shamefacedly, for he was rather taken aback at en- 
countering such a fine lady, instead of the maid servant he 
had expected to see. “ I and my brother Hugh used to have 
fine games of cricket with you and my little Hetty, here, 
on the Island years and years ago. I suppose you’ve heard 
that Hugh has been elected to the ministry since you left 
U sk. Miss Llewellyn ? ” 

“ No, indeed, I do not think that Hetty has ever men- 
tioned it in her letters to me. But I remember your 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


11 


brother quite well. He was a very tall, shy lad, fonder of 
reading than anything else, even when a little boy.^'’ 

^^Yes, that^s Hngh/^ replied the young man; “and he 
hasn^t forgotten yon either, I can answer for that.^^ 

“ I suppose it makes you all very proud to have a minis- 
ter in the family, William,^^ said Miss Llewellyn, kindly. 

“ That it does, and he^s a fine preacher, too, as Hetty 
here can tell you, and draws the people to hear him for 
miles round, so that the parson up at the church is quite 
jealous of Hughes influence with his parishioners. And 
that^s something to be proud of, isn’t it ? ” 

“ It is, indeed. And what are you. Will ? ” 

“ 0 he’s a farmer, Nell,” interposed Hetty, “and we are 
to live with his parents at Dale Farm as soon as we go back. 
So poor mother will be left alone, Nell. How I wish you 
could come back to Panty-cuckoo Farm and stay with 
mother, now she’s lost me.” 

Miss Llewellyn flushed scarlet at the idea. 

“ 0 Hetty, how could I ? How could I leave my place 
where I have been for so many years now, to go back and 
be a burden on my parents? Besides, dear, I’m used to 
town life, and don’t think I should know how to get on in 
the country.” 

“ But you care for mother, surely,” said her sister, some- 
what reproachfully, “ and you can’t think how bad she’s 
been with sciatica this spring; quite doubled up at times, 
and Doctor Cowell says it’s bound to come back in the 
autumn. I’m sure I don’t know what she’ll do, if it does. 
You should have heard how she used to cry out for you in 
the spring, Nell. She’s always wanting her beautiful 
daughter. I’m nothing to mother, and never have been, 
compared to you, and I’ve heard her say, dozens of times, 
that she wished that London town had been burned to the 
ground before the agency office had persuaded you to take 
service here. They do seem so hard on servants in this 
place. Here you have been five years away from home, and 
never once a holiday. I think Lord Ilfracombe must be 
very mean not to think that a servant girl would want to 
see her own people once in a way.” 

“You mustn’t blame Lord Ilfracombe, Hetty,” said her 
sister, hastily, “for it is not his fault. He would let me go 


12 


A BAi^KEUPT HEART. 


to Usk if I asked him, I dare say, but I have the charge of 
all the other servants, you see, and where would the house 
be without me ? It is not as if there was a lady at the head 
of affairs.'' 

Then why doesn't he marry, and get his wife to do all 
that for him ? " demanded Hetty, with the audacity of ig- 
norance. It does seem strange that a gentleman with 
such a heap of money should remain a bachelor. What 
does he do with it all, I wonder ! And what is the good of 
such a big house to a man without a wife ? W ouldn't you 
rather that he was married, Hell? It must be so funny 
taking all your orders from a man." 

“You don't understand, Hetty," said Miss Llewellyn. 

Lord Ilfracombe does not give me any orders. He never 
interferes in the household arrangements. It is to save 
himself all that trouble that he has engaged me. I hardly 
ever see him — that is, about dinners, or anything of that 
sort. When he is going to have a party, he tells me the 
number of people whom he expects, and I prepare for them 
accordingly. But this is all beyond your comprehension. 
It is past five o'clock. You and William will be glad of 
some tea." 

Miss Llewellyn rose, and rang the bell as she spoke, and, 
having given her orders to a very magnificent-looking foot- 
man, at whose servility Hetty stared, she resumed the con- 
versation. 

“ Where are you two staying in town ? " 

“We have some rooms in Oxford Street," replied her sis- 
ter. “Do you remember Mrs. Potter, Hell, who took Mrs. 
TJpjohn's cottage when her husband died? Her sister lets 
lodgings, and when she heard we were coming to London 
for our honeymoon, she wrote to her sister to take us in, 
and we are very comfortable there, aren't we. Will? And 
it's such a grand situation ; such lots of things to see ; and 
Mrs. Potter said, as it might be our last chance for many a 
day, we ought to see as much as we could whilst we are 
here." 

“I think she is quite right," replied Miss Llewellyn, 
smiling, “and I should like to add to your pleasure if pos- 
sible. Will you come out with me and have some dinner 
after your tea, and go to a theatre in the evening ? " 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


13 


"" 0 Nell, we had our dinner at one o’clock, roast pork 
and French beans, and very good it was, I suppose, for Lon- 
don town, though nothing like our pork at Usk. And 
aren’t the strawberries and cherries dear here? Will gave 
sixpence this morning for a leaf of fruit that you’d- throw 
over the hedge to a beggar child in Usk. I told the woman 
in the shop that she ought to come to Panty-cuckoo Farm 
if she wanted to see strawberries, and she said she had 
never heard of such a place.” 

I think you’ll be quite ready for the dinner, Hetty, for 
you will find our London teas very different from country 
ones,” said Miss Llewellyn, as the footman reappeared with 
a teapot, and cups and saucers, and a plate of very thin 
bread and butter, on a silver tray, “ and the theatre will 
keep us up rather late. I suppose you have been nowhere 
yet?” 

No, of course they had been nowhere, and Miss Llewellyn 
selected the Adelphi, as the theatre most likely to give 
them pleasure. 

^^Nell,” whispered Hetty, in a tone of awe, as they found 
themselves once more alone, do you always have a silver 
tray to eat your tea off ? ” 

Nell colored. She found a little evasion would be neces- 
sary, in order to circumvent the sharp eyes of her sister. 

^^Not always, Hetty,” she answered, ^^but as nobody else 
wants it just now, I suppose John thought we might as 
well have the advantage of it. When the cat’s away, you 
know, the mice will play. And we can’t wear it out by 
using it a little.” 

Hetty looked thoughtful. 

But I think mother would say,” she answered, after a 
pause, ^^that we ought not to use it unless Lord Ilfracombe 
knew of it, and gave his leave. I remember once when 
Annie Roberts came to tea with me, and boavsted of having 
brought her mistress’ umbrella because she was away, and 
it looked like rain, that mother sent her straight home 
again, and threatened, if Annie did not tell Mrs. Carey of 
what she had done, that she would tell her herself.” 

Miss Llewellyn looked just a little vexed. One might 
have seen that by the way she bit her lip, and tapped the 
carpet with her neat, little shoe. 


14 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


But your sister is not in the same position as Annie 
Koberts, Hetty, my dear,’"’ interposed William Owen, ob- 
serving their hostess’ discomfiture. 

^^No, that is just it,” said Miss Llewellyn, recovering her- 
self. I am allowed — all the servants know that they may 
bring these things up to me when I have friends. Life in 
London is so different from life in the country — one ex- 
j)ects more privileges. But there, Hetty, dear, don’t let us 
speak of it any more. You don’t quite understand; but 
you may be sure I would not do anything of which Lord 
Ilfracombe would not approve.” 

0 no, dear Hell, indeed you need not have told me 
that. I was only a little surprised. I am not used to such 
fine things, you know, and I just thought if your master 
was to walk in, how astonished he would be.” 

Hot at all,” said Miss Llewellyn, gaily. ^^You don’t 
know how good and kind he is to us all. He would just 
laugh and tell us to go on enjoying ourselves. But if we 
are to go to the theatre, I must run up and put on my 
things. William, will you have a glass of wine before we 
start ? I have a bottle of my own, so Hetty need not think 
I am going to drink Lord Ilfracombe’s.” 

Young Owen refused the wine, but Hetty was eager to 
accompany her sister to her bedroom. This was just what 
Miss Llewellyn did not wish her to do. She was in a quan- 
dary. But her woman’s wit (some people would say, her 
woman’s trick of lying) came to her aid, and she answered : 

“ Come upstairs with me by all means, Hetty. I should 
like you to see the house ; but I will take you to one of the 
spare bedrooms, for mine is not habitable just at present. 
Plasterers and painters all over that floor. Come in here,” 
and she turned, as she spoke, into a magnificently-furnished 
apartment, usually reserved for Lord Ilfracombe’s guests. 

Hetty stared with all her eyes at the magnificence sur- 
rounding her. 

“ 0 Hell, how I wish mother could see this. It looks fit 
for a duchess, to me.” 

“Well, it was actually a duke who slept in it last, you 
little goose,” cried Miss Llewellyn, as she hastily assumed a 
bonnet and mantle, which she had desired a servant to 
fetch from her own chamber. “ But I don’t think he was 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


15 


worthy of it — a nasty, bloated little fellow, with a face 
covered with pimples, and an eyeglass always stuck in his 
eye.’^ 

Doesn’t Lord Ilfracombe wear an eyeglass, Nell ? ” 

0 no, thank goodness ! I wouldn’t—” but here Miss 
Llewellyn checked herself suddenly, and added, I mean, 
he would never do anything so silly. He can see perfectly 
well, and does not need a glass. But come, Hetty dear, we 
are going to walk down to the theatre, so we had better 
start if we wish to get good seats.” 

As they entered the porch of the Adelphi, a sudden 
thought struck innocent Hetty. She sidled up to her sis- 
ter, and whispered: 

"You must let William pay for our places, Nell.” 

"Nonsense! child, what are you thinking of? This is 
my treat. I asked you to come as my guests.” 

" But it isn’t fair,” continued the little bumpkin, " for 
you to pay for us all out of your wages. Won’t it cramp 
you for the next quarter, Nell?” 

"No, dear, no! I have plenty for us all,” returned her 
sister, hastily, as she paid for three j)laces in the dress cir- 
cle, and conducted her relations to their destination. Here, 
seated well out of observation of the stalls, as she thought. 
Miss Llewellyn felt free, for the next two hours, at least, to 
remain quiet, and think, an operation for which she had 
had no time since her sister had burst in so unexpectedly 
upon her. William and Hetty had naturally no eyes ex- 
cept for the play, the like of which they had never seen be- 
fore. They followed the sensational incidents of one of 
Sims and Buchanan’s melodramas with absorbing interest. 
The varied scenes; the clap-trap changes; the pretty 
dresses, all chained them, eyes and ears, to the stage, whilst 
an occasional breathless exclamation from Hetty, of, " 0 ! 
Nell, isn’t that beautiful?” was all the demand they made 
upon her attention. She had seen the piece before, and, 
if she had not done so, she had no heart to attend to it 
now. Her memories of home, and the old life she had led 
there, had all been awakened by the sight of her sister, and 
the manner she had sjooken of it; and while Hetty was en- 
grossed by the novel scenes before her. Miss Llewellyn was 
in fancy back again at Panty-cuckoo Farm, where she had 


16 


A BANKKUPT HEAKT. 


been born and bred. She was wandering down the steep 
path which led to the farmhouse, bordered on either side 
by whitened stones to enable the drivers to keep to it in 
the dark, and which had given the dear old place its fanci- 
ful name of ^^The Cuckooes Dell.'’^ She could see the or- 
chard of apple and pear trees, which grew around the house 
itself, and under which the pigs were digging, with their 
black snouts, for such succulent roots as their swinish souls 
loved. She sat well back in her seat, listening to the notes 
of the cuckoo from the neighboring thicket, and the woods 
that skirted the domains of General Sir Archibald Bow- 
mant, who was the principal landowner for many miles 
around Usk at that period. What a marvelous, magnifi- 
cent place she had thought the Generaks house once, when 
she had been admitted to view the principal rooms, by es- 
pecial favor of the housekeeper. And now — why, they 
were nothing compared to Lord Ilfracombe^s, the man 
whom little Hetty had called her master.^^ And a very 
good name for him, too,^^ thought Miss Llewellyn, as she 
finished her musings, ^‘for he is my master, body and 
soul."" 


17 


CHAPTER II. 

At the close of the second act, as she was urging her sis- 
ter and brother-in-law to take some refreshment, she was 
disagreeably interrupted by hearing a voice, which she rec- 
ognized as that of Mr. Portland, a friend of Lord Ilfra- 
combe^s. Jack Portland (as he was usually called by his 
own sex) was a man whom Miss Llewellyn particularly dis- 
liked, on account of his bad influence over the Earl. He was 
a well-known betting and sporting man, who lived on the turf, 
and by it, and whose lead Lord Ilfracombe was, unfortu- 
nately, but too ready to follow. She shrank back as she en- 
countered him ; but Mr. Portland was not easily rebuffed. 

^^Ah! Miss Llewellyn,^^ he exclaimed, as he scrambled over 
the vacant seats to reach her side; ^^is this really you? I 
thought I recognized you from the stalls, but could hardly 
believe my eyes. What are you doing in the dress circle ? 
I have always seen you in a box before.’^ 

I am with friends, Mr. Portland,^^ replied Miss Llew- 
ellyn, with visible annoyance, and one can see a play like 
this much better from the circle. We have been enjoying 
it very much.^^ 

“You must be pretty well sick of it by this time, I 
should think,^^ returned Mr. Portland, with his glass stuck 
in his eye, “ for I"ve seen you here twice with Ilfracombe 
already. By the way, how is Ilfracombe? When did you 
hear from him last ? 

Miss Llewellyn was on thorns. 

“Will you excuse me, Mr. Portland,’^ she said, with a face 
of crimson, “but I and my friends were just going to have 
some ices at the buffet.’^ 

“By Jove! but you won%^^ exclaimed the officious Port- 
land, “ I will send them to you. How many do you want ? 
Three ? 

“Yes; three, if you please/’ answered Miss Llewellyn, 
who saw no other Avay of getting rid of her tormentor, and 
dreaded what he might say before her sister. 


18 


A BANKKUPT HEAET. 


‘^Who is that gentleman, Nell?^'’ inquired Hetty, as soon 
as his back was turned. 

“ No one in particular,” said the other. Only an ac- 
quaintance of Lord Ilfracombe’s. Don’t take any notice of 
him, Hetty. He talks a lot of nonsense.” 

She was praying all the time that Mr. Portland, having 
given his orders to the waiter, might see he was not 
wanted, and go hack to his stall. But he was not the sort 
of man who gives something for nothing. He meant to be 
paid for the attention, though in his own coin. The waiter 
soon appeared, bearing the tray of ices and wafers, and in 
his train came Mr. Jack Portland, smiling, as if he knew 
his welcome was assured. 

^M’ve got you Neapolitan, Miss Llewellyn, you see. I 
remembered that Ilfracombe always orders Neapolitan. 
By the way, you never told me the contents of his last 
letter. He’s very gay at Malta, I hear. Always with 
those Ahingers. Have you heard of the Ahingers? He’s 
the admiral there. By George ! Miss Llewellyn, I’d recall 
Ilfracombe if I were you. Send him home orders, you 
know. He’s been out there quite long enough ; don’t you 
think so?” 

Miss Llewellyn saw that Hetty and William were listen- 
ing with open eyes to this discourse, and did not know how 
to stop Mr. Portland’s tongue. She would fain have got 
rid of him altogether; but of two evils she chose, what 
seemed to her, the least. She lowered her voice, and 
begged him to cease his remarks on Lord Ilfracombe, till 
they were alone. 

That’s the way the land lies,” he replied, with a wink 
in the direction of Hetty. ‘‘^All right. Mum’s the word. 
How deucedly handsome you are looking to-night,” he 
added, in a lower voice, as he brought his bloated face in 
close proximity to hers; ^^tell you what. Miss Llewellyn, Il- 
fracombe’s a fool! a d d fool, by George! to leave such a 

face and figure as yours, while he goes gallivanting after a 
set of noodles at Malta.” 

At this remark, Nell fiushed indignantly, and turning her 
back on the intruder, directed her attention to her sister, 
upon which Mr. Portland, with a familiar nod and an easy 
good-night, took himself away. As soon as he was out of 


A BAKKKUPT HEART. 


19 


hearing, Hetty pestered her sister to tell her his name, and 
to confess if he was anything to her. 

I can^t say I think he^s handsome,^^ she said, with a lit- 
tle moue. “ His face is so red, and he stares so ; but do tell 
me the truth, Nell. Is he your young man? 

My young man! Gracious no, child! Why, I hate the 
fellow. I think he is the most odious, impertinent, pre- 
suming person I know. But he is a friend of Lord Ilfra- 
combe^s, so I am obliged to be civil to him.^’ 

Ah! well, I wish you had a young man, Nell, all the 
same. Mother would be so glad to hear you were thinking 
of getting married. She often says that it is high time you 
were settled, and that youhe far too handsome to be single 
in London; for that it’s a dreadful dangerous place for 
girls, and specially if they’re good-looking. She would be 
pleased to hear you were keeping company with any one 
that could keep you like a lady.” 

^‘^But I’m not, Hetty dear, nor likely to be; so you 
mustn’t get any ideas of that sort in your head. But let 
us attend to what is going on. I hope Will and you are 
enjoying yourselves.” 

0 lovely,” said Hetty, with a sigh of ineffable con- 
tent. 

But Miss Llewellyn had not got rid of Mr. Portland yet. 
4.S she was pushing her way out of the corridor, when the 
play was over, she found him again by her side. 

^AYill you be at home to-morrow. Miss Llewellyn? ” he 
asked, in a low voice. 

1 believe so. Why ? ” 

Because, I particularly want to speak to you. May I 
call about three ? ” 

Certainly, if you really wish to speak to me; but I cannot 
imagine what you can have to say that you cannot say now.” 

0 that would be quite impossible,” rejoined Mr. Port- 
land, looking her straight in the eyes. I couldn’t even 
explain what my business with you is, but you shall hear 
all about it, if you will be so good as to receive me about 
three.” 

1 shall be at home,” replied Miss Llewellyn, coldly, as 
she pushed her way out into the street, and entered a pass- 
ing cab with her companions. 


20 


A BAXKKUPT HEART. 


I shall call for you both to-morrow about six o’clock^ 
Hetty,” she said, as she deposited them at the door of their 
lodgings, ^‘^and take you to the Alhambra. Youdl see 
something there, more beautiful than you have ever seen 
before.” 

^^0 Nell, you are good, ”cried her sister, '^and what a 
lot of money you must receive. It makes me wish that I, too^ 
had come up to London town when you did, and gone to ser- 
vice, for then I might have saved some money to help Will 
furnish our rooms. I brought him nothing, you know,. 
Nell — not even a penny. It seems so sad, doesn^t it?” 

^MVhat nonsense,” replied Miss Llewellyn. ^^You 
brought him your true, pure heart, and your honest soul; 
and they are worth all the money in the world, Hetty; and 
I am sure William thinks the same. Good-night. We 
shall meet again to-morrow.” 

And with a wave of her hand, she drove away to Gros- 
venor Square. 

Her maid was waiting up for her, all consternation, ta 
find she had left the house without calling in her assist- 
ance. 

Dear me! ma^am,” she exclaimed, as she knelt down on 
the fioor of Miss Llewellyn^s bedroom to unbutton her 
dainty boots, to think you could go out, and me not to 
dress you. When J ohn told me you had left the house, 
and not even taken the carriage, you might have knocked 
me down with a feather. And in this dress and mantle, 
too. Dear, dear! wherever did you go? Not to the thea- 
tre, surely?” 

^^Yes, I did,” responded her mistress. “I took some 
young friends from the country with me to the Adelphi; 
and, you see, Susan, the fact is, they are not used to fash- 
ionable dressing, so I though I would not make them feel 
uncomfortable by being smarter than themselves.” 

“Many ladies thinks the same,” remarked the maid, 
“though I don’t hold with it; for it’s a real pleasure to look 
at such dresses as yours, even if one can’t have ’em for 
oneself.” 

She spoke rather more familiarly than servants usually 
do to their mistresses, for she knew perfectly well, though 
she dared not say so openly, that Miss Llewellyn was not a* 


A BAKKRUPT HEART. 


21 


gentlewoman any more than herself; but it was, she 
thought, to her profit to appear to think so. The Court 
favorite is generally the object of adulation and sycophancy 
until her reign is over. But Ellen Llewellyn had been ac- 
customed to subservience for so long now, that she had al- 
most forgotten that it was not hers by right. It was only 
at times that the truth was borne in upon her that she 
held the luxuries of life on an uncertain tenure. Her maid 
undressed her, and put her blue cashmere dressing-gown 
about her shoulders, and would have hovered around her 
for an indefinite period, chattering of every bit of news she 
had heard that day; but Miss Llewellyn was in no mood to 
indulge her, and dismissed her at last, rather abruptly. She 
wanted to be alone, to ponder over the surprise she had had 
that afternoon; to dream again of Panty-cuckoo Farm; to 
wonder how the dear old garden looked under the July 
sun; if her mother had aged much during the last five 
years, whether her father^s figure were more bent, and his 
steps feebler; above all, she wanted to communicate her 
thoughts to some one who could sympathize with them. 
She felt too excited to rest, so she took up her pen again, 
and finished the letter, in the writing of which she had 
been interrupted that afternoon by her sister's arrival. 

“ I had written thus far, my dearest, when I was inter- 
rupted by the appearance of my little sister Hetty, from 
TJsk, and her husband, William Owen, when I never even 
knew that they were married. 0 Ilfracombe, I was so 
surprised. They have come up to town for their wedding 
trip, expressly to see me, so I felt compelled to show them 
some attention. But I was so nervous. I hurried them 
out of the house as soon as I could, and took them to the 
Adelphi; and there, who should spy us out but Mr. Port- 
land, who would keep on talking to me of you till I was 
fairly obliged to run away from him. What a fool he must 
be, to speak so openly before strangers. I could have 
boxed his ears. 0, I never feel safe, or happy, except when 
I am by your side. How very glad I shall be when you 
come home again. Then you will take me up to Abergel- 
die with you for the shooting, won t you ? Till then I shall 
not stir. How could I enjoy myself at a watering place all 


22 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


alone ? I have seen nothing of Mr. Sternclale yet, and can- 
not imagine what he should have to say to me. We never 
had much in common; indeed, I regularly dislike him. He 
always looks at me so suspiciously, as if he thought I was a 
wretched harpy, like some women we know of, and cared 
for nothing but your money and your title. Instead of 
which, I love you so dearly that I could almost wish you 
were a ruined costermonger, Ilfracombe, instead of the 
grand gentleman you are, that I might prove my love, by 
working for you, and with you. Ah! if I only could do 
something to return all your goodness tome; but it is hope- 
less, and will never be. You are too high above me. All 
I can do is to love you.” 

And with much more in this strain, the letter ended. 
The excitement that had been engendered in Nell, by see- 
ing friends from home, had been continued by writing her 
feelings to the man she loved; but now that it was over, 
and she lay down on her bed, the natural reaction set in, 
and she turned her beautiful face on her pillow and shed 
a few quiet tears. 

0 how I wish Ilfracombe were here,” she sobbed. He 
has been away four months now, and my life is a desert 
without him. It is hardly bearable. And if Hetty or Will- 
iam should hear — if by chance any one who knows it, like 
that officious Jack Portland, should come across them, and 
mention it; and they should tell mother — it would break 
her heart, and mine, too. If he would only have the cour- 
age to end it, and do what’s right. But it’s too much to 
expect. I must not think of such a thing. I have always 
known it was impossible. And I am as certain as I am 
that there is a heaven, that he will never forsake me; he 
has said it so often. I am as secure as if I were really his 
wife. Only this world is so hard — so bitterly, bitterly 

And so Nell cried herself to sleep. 

But the next morning she was as bright and as glori- 
ously beautiful as ever; and, when she descended to break- 
fast, the butler and footman waited on her as assiduously 
as if she had been a countess; and the coachman sent up to 
her for orders concerning the carriage; and the cook sub- 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


23 


mitted the menu for that day's dinner for her approval. 
As soon as her breakfast was concluded, she gave an inter- 
view to Lord Ilfracombe's stud groom, and went with him 
into the forage and stable accounts, detecting several errors 
that he had passed over, and consulting him, as to whether 
his master might not, with some benefit to himself, try an- 
other corn merchant. So much had she identified herself 
with all the earl's interests, that she more than once used 
the plural pronoun, in speaking of the high prices quoted 
to her. 

"^This will never do, Farningham," she said. “We can- 
not afford to go on with Field at this rate. His charges are 
enough to ruin a millionaire. With four horses here, and 
eleven down at Thistlemere, we shall have nothing left to 
feed ourselves, soon." 

“Very well, ma'am," replied the man, “I'll get the price- 
list from two or three other corn merchants, and submit 
them to you. I don't fancy you'll find much difference, 
though, in their prices. You see, with the long drought 
we have had this season, hay has risen terribly; and oats 
ain't much better; they're so poor, I've had to increase the 
feeds. Will his lordship be home for the hunting, 
ma'am ? " 

“ 0 yes, I hope so, sincerely, Farningham. He says he 
shall miss the grouse this year; but I quite expect him for 
the partridge shooting. And, after that, he is sure to go 
down to Thistlemere for the hunting season. He couldn't 
live without his horses for long, Farningham." ^ 

“No, ma'am, he's a true nobleman for that, is his lord- 
ship; and I guessed as much. But I'm glad to hear you 
say so, for there's no heart in getting horses in first-rate 
order if no one's to see 'em or use 'em. Good-morning, 
ma'am, and I hope we shall see his lordship soon again, for 
all our sakes." 

Which hope Miss Llewellyn heartily echoed. 


24 


CHAPTER HI. 

The morning was beautiful, though very warm, and Miss 
Llewellyn thought she could not spend it better than in 
taking a long drive. She felt as if she could not stay in 
the house. Some intuitive dread, or fear, she knew not 
which, possessed her — as if she had an enemy in ambush, 
and anticipated an assault. When she tried to analyze this 
feeling, she laid it to the proximity of her relations, and 
the possibility of their hearing more of her domestic life 
than she wished them to know. 

But it is all because Ilfracombe is not at home,^^ she 
said to herself; if he were here, he would laugh me out 
of such a piece of folly. As if they possibly could hear. 
Who could tell them, when they know no one in London ? 
I am a silly fool.’^ 

When she entered the open carriage, and the footman at- 
tended her orders, she told him to drive as far into the 
country as possible. 

^^Tell Jenkins to go right away from town; up to Hamp- 
stead, or out to Barnes. I want all the fresh air I can 
get.^^ 

So she was carried swiftly towards Wimbledon, and had 
soon left the hot bricks and mortar behind her, and was 
reveling in the sight of green hedges, and stretches of 
common. 

Plow fresh and sweet it all seems,^^ she thought; but not 
half so fresh and sweet as round Usk, and by dear Panty- 
cuckoo Farm. How luscious the honeysuckle used to 
smell that trailed over the porch by the side door; and how 
thickly it grew. I used to tear off the blossoms by thou- 
sands, to suck their petals. And the apple orchard. It 
was a mass of white and pink flowers in spring, like a bri- 
dal bouquet. They must have all fallen by this time, and 
left the little green apples in their stead. What a thief I 
was in my early days. I can remember lanky Hugh 
Owen catching me robbing Mr. Potter’s plum tree, and the 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


25 

long-winded lecture he gave me on the rights of meiim and 
tuum, I wonder if the sermons he preaches now are as 
prosy and as long. If so, I pity his congregation. He was 
always so terribly in earnest. What would he say if he 
knew all about me now ? 

And here Miss Llewell3m’s thoughts took a rather melan- 
choly turn, and she sat in the carriage with folded arms, 
hardly noticing the rural scenes through which she was 
passing, as her memory went back to her girlhood's days, 
and her girlhood’s companions. She did not notice the 
time either, until a church clock struck two, and reminded 
her that she had had no luncheon. She gave the order for 
home then, but it was nearly three before she reached Gros- 
venor Square, and the first words the footman, who opened 
the door to her, said, were, to the effect that Mr. Portland 
was waiting for her in the drawing-room. Nell started. 
She had entirely forgotten the appointment of the day be- 
fore. 

In the drawing-room, did you say ! ” she ejaculated. I 
will go to him at once.” 

Luncheon is on the table, ma’am,” added the servant. 

Shall I tell them to take it down-stairs till you are 
ready?” 

‘Mt is not worth while,” replied Miss Llewellyn. 
shall only be a few minutes.” 

She walked straight up to the drawing-room as she spoke, 
throwing the hat she had worn on a side table, as she en- 
tered. 

I am sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Portland,” she 
said, as he held out his hand to her; ‘"but I have been for 
a country drive, and quite forgot the time.” 

That is a very cruel speech. Miss Llewellyn,” remon- 
strated her visitor; and when I have been counting the 
moments till we should meet.” 

Jack Portland was always a horsey” looking man, and 
it struck Nell, that to-day he seemed more horsey than 
usual. By birth he was a gentleman, but like many other 
gentlemen by birth, he had degraded himself- by a life of 
dissipation, till he had lost all claim to the title. His feat- 
ures, good enough in themselves, were swollen and bloated 
by indulgence in drink; his manners were forward and re- 


2G 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


pulsive; he had lost all respect for women, and only re- 
garded them as expensive animals, who cost, as a rule, 
much more than they were worth. To Nell he had always 
been most offensive; not in words, but looks and manners; 
and she was only decently civil to him for the earhs sake. 
Now, as he seemed disposed to approach her side, she got 
further and further away from him, till she had reached a 
sofa at the other end of the room. Mr. Portland was got 
up in his very flashiest style, but was evidently nervous, 
though she could not imagine why. Ilis suit was cut in 
the latest racing fashion, and he wore an enormous but- 
ton-hole?^ But his florid face was more flushed than usual, 
and he kept fldgeting with his watch chain in a curious 
manner. At last he found his tongue. 

“Were you very much surprised when I asked you for 
an interview. Miss Llewellyn ? he commenced. 

“ I was, rather; because I cannot think what you can possi- 
bly have to say to me. W e have but one subject of interest in 
common — Ilfracombe — and he is quite well and happy. 
Else, I might have frightened myself by imagining you had 
some bad news to tell me concerning him.'’^ 

Jack Portland looked at her rather curiously, as he re- 
plied : 

“ 0 no, the old chapes all right. How often do you hear 
from him now ? Every day ? Is that the ticket ? 

“ I hear constantly,^^ replied Miss Llewellyn, in a digni- 
fied tone. “ I had a letter yesterday. I was in hopes he 
might have fixed the date of his return; but he says his 
friends will not be persuaded to let him go, so that he shall 
be detained in Malta longer than he expected.^^ 

“ Ah ! his friends are the Abingers, of course,’^ said Mr. 
Portland, sticking his glass in his eye, the better to observe 
her features. 

“Perhaps. He did not mention them by name,^^ she 
replied; “but I daresay you are right. However, he is sure 
to be home for the pheasant shooting.’^ 

“ Doubtless,” replied Mr. Portland, “unless his friends 
persuade him* to go somewhere else. But what are you 
going to do with yourself meanwhile. Miss Llewellyn ? ” 

“ I ? 0, 1 shall remain in town till his return, and then I 
suppose we shall go to the Highlands, as usual. Ilfracombe 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


27 


wunts me to go away at once to some watering place to re- 
cruit, but I should be wretched there by myself. I shall 
wait for him at home. He is sure to come straight to Lon- 
don, because all his things are here.” 

She was looking as handsome as paint that day. The 
long drive had tinged her face with a soft pink; and her 
lovely hazel eyes were humid with emotion, engendered by 
her subject. Her rich hair had become somewhat dis- 
ordered by the open air, and the haste with which she had 
removed her hat, and was ruffled and untidy. But that 
only added to her charms. What pretty woman ever 
looked so well, with neatly arranged hair, as when it is 
rumpled and blown about ? She was half sitting, half re- 
clining on the sofa, and her fine figure was shown to the 
best advantage. Portland's eyes glistened as he gazed at 
her. What a handsome hostess she would make — what a 
presider over the destinies of his bachelor establishment. 
How proud he would be to introduce her to his sporting 
and Bohemian friends — the only friends whom he affected, 
and be able to tell them that this glorious creature was all 
his own. He became so excited by the idea, that he dashed 
into the subject rather suddenly. 

Miss Llewellyn,” he said, you are aware, I think, of my 
position in life. Ilfracombe, dear old chap, has doubtless 
told you that I make a very neat little income, and that I 
am perfectly unincumbered.” 

This seemingly vague address made her stare. 

He has never entered into details with me, Mr. Port- 
land, but I have heard him say you are very well off — the 
luckiest fellow he knows, he called you.” 

^H"m afraid Pm not quite that,” said Mr. Portland; ‘'•but 
still I am in a position to give any reasonable woman every- 
thing she can possibly require. My income is pretty regu- 
lar, and I would engage to make a handsome allowance to 
any lady who honored me with her preference. I tell you 
this, because Ilfracombe has often told me that you have 
an excellent head for business. By George!” said Mr. Port- 
land, again screwing his glass into his unhappy and long- 
suffering eye, ^^with such beauty as yours, you have no right 
to know anything about business; still, if you do — there 
you are, you see.” 


28 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


But what has all this to do with me, Mr. Portland,’^ re- 
marked Miss Llewellyn, with a puzzled air. I am sure 
any lady you may choose to marry will be a very lucky 
woman. Ilfracombe has often called you the best fellow he 
knows. But why should you tell me this ? Are you already 
•engaged to be married ? 

By Jove, no! And not likely to be. Do I look like a 
marrying man. Miss Llewellyn ? But there — I can’t beat 
about the bush any longer. You must have seen my ad- 
miration — my worship for you. It is on yo\i my choice has 
fallen. Say that I have not been too presumptuous — that 
you will consent to share my fortunes; that you will, in 
fact, look as kindly on me as you have on my fortunate 
friend, Ilfracombe.” 

At first, she did not understand his meaning; she did not 
realize that this farrago of nonsense had been addressed to 
herself. It was so entirely unexpected; so utterly un- 
thought of. But when she did take in the meaning of his 
words; when she awoke to the knowledge that Mr. Port- 
land, the intimate friend of Lord Ilfracombe, had dared to 
offer her his protection, Nell sprung from her position on 
the sofa, and retreated to the back of it. Her tawny eyes 
were blazing with fire; her hands were clenched; her breast 
heaved violently; she could hardly speak. Under the in- 
dignation of her burning glances, the man before her 
seemed to shrivel like a dry leaf before the fiame. 

How dare you ? ” she panted. How dare you insult 
me like that ? What do you mean ? How can I be your 
friend, or the friend of any man but Ilfracombe ? lam his 
wife; you know I am, and shall be till I die!” 

‘^His 'icifef pooh!” said Jack Portland; don’t talk 
rubbish to me like that.” 

"' Yes, his wife! How could I be more his wife than I 
am? I love him — he loves me! AVe are essentially one in 
heart and word and deed. AV hat could a marriage cere- 
mony have done more for us than our mutual love has 
done? And then you, who know all this— who have known 
us so many years— you dare to come here and insult me in 
my own house, and, under the pretence of friendship, deal 
the deadliest insult you could possibly have hurled at 
my head! 0 how I wish Ilfracombe had been at home to 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


29 


protect me from your insolence I He would not have let 
you finish your cowardly sentence. You would not have 
dared utter it had he been standing by! He would have 
taken you by the collar and spurned you from the door. I 
have no words in which to tell you how I despise you — how 
low and mean a thing you seem to me — how I wish I were a. 
man that 1 might put you out of this room and this house 
myself! But rest assured that Lord Ilfracombe shall hear 
of your baseness, and will punish you as you deserve ! 

Jack Portland still kept his glass fixed in his eye and 
stared insolently at her. He had elevated his eyebrows 
once or twice as she proceeded with her speech, and 
shrugged his shoulders as if she were not worth a second 
thought of his; and, as she mentioned her lover’s name, he: 
smiled scornfully and waved his hand. 

Pray don’t talk in this fashion,” he said, as she con- 
cluded. I am sure Ilfracombe would tell you it was not 
worth making such a fuss about. As for insulting you,, 
that is the last idea in my mind. I admire you far too 
much. Most ladies would, I flatter myself, have regarded 
my offer in a totally different light; indeed, no reasonable 
person could say that it was an insult, especially from a 
man of my birth and position.” 

It becomes an insult,” she answered, hotly, when you 
address your proposals to the wife of another man, and that 
man your greatest friend.” 

Perhaps it would, if she ivere his wife, or ever likely te 
be so !” returned Mr. Portland, with a sneer. 

‘^But I am — I am cried Nell, passionately, stamping 
her feet ; ^^and each fresh word you say is a fresh affront. 
People with your low conceptions of life cannot understand 
the strength of the tie between Ilfracombe and myself,, 
because it has not been ratified by the law. You are not hon- 
orable enough to see that that very fact renders it still 
more binding on a man of honor. Ilfracombe would die 
sooner than part from me, and I would die a thousand 
deaths sooner than part from him. Our lives are 
bound up in each others’. And, even if it were not so, I 
could never exchange him for you ! Now do you under- 
stand, or must I say it all over again ? ” 

Under the sting of what his proposal had suggested to 


30 


A BANKEUPT HEART. 


her, she was blazing away at him with twice her natural 
ferocity. At that moment she hated him with such a 
deadly hatred, for having presumed to remind her of the 
real position she held, that she could gladly have killed 
him. 

Pray say no more ! ” exclaimed Mr. Portland, as he pre- 
pared to leave her; ^^youVe said more than enough, my 
pretty tigress, already; but the day may come when you 
will regret that you treated my offer with so much disdain. 
Young men’s fancies do not last forever, my dear — a 
good sound sentiment is worth many vows. If Ilfracombe 
ever tires of you (or, rather, let me say, when he tires of 
you), you will remember my words. Meanwhile, luckily for 
me, there are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it. 
So good-by, my handsome fury! Won’t you give me one 
kiss before we part, just to show there’s no ill-feeling? 
Ho? Well! I must try to do without it, then — for the 
present, at least — and hope for better luck next time. 
Eemember me to old Ilfracombe when next you write. 
Ta-ta! ” 

He lingered near her for a moment, as though expecting 
she would raise her eyes or put out her hand, but Hell did 
neither; and after a while he turned on his heel, and, inso- 
lently humming a tune, went on his way. As soon as Miss 
Llewellyn heard the hall door close after him, she rushed 
up to her own room, and, after locking the door, threw her- 
self on the sofa, face downwards, and sobbed and cried in 
the strength of her wounded feelings, and the terrible 
doubt which Mr. Portland’s words had seemed to imply. 
The servants came knocking at her door and worrying her 
to come down to luncheon, which was getting cold in the 
dining-room; but she would not go down-stairs, nor speak 
to any of them. It was the first time since her acquaint- 
ance with the Earl of Ilfracombe that the untenability of 
her illegal position had been brought so forcibly before her, 
and she felt all the more angry because she had no right to 
feel angry at all. She believed implicitly in her lover; she 
had accepted his assurances of fidelity as gospel truth; and 
she was passionately indignant and sorely outraged because 
Mr. Portland had not considered the tie between her and 
his friend as inviolable as she did. And yet, she was not 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


31 


Lord Ilfracombe^s wife! Beautiful Nell Llewellyn knew 
this only too well, as she lay on the couch sobbing as if her 
heart would break. Say what women will, in these days of 
misrule, about the charms of liberty and the horror of 
being enchained for life, there is a comfortable sense of 
security in knowing one's self to be honorably united to the 
man one loves — to have no need of concealment or misstat- 
ing facts — no necessity of avoiding one's fellow-men — no 
fear of encountering insult from one's inferiors in birth 
and morals, because one does not wear a wedding-ring 
upon one's finger — that insignia of possession, which is so 
insignificant and yet so powerful. What would poor Nell 
Llewellyn not have given to have had one upon her finger 
now! 

How terrible is the first dread of the instability of the 
love on which one has fixed all one's earthly hopes! 
Had her lover been within reach, Nell would have rushed 
to him with the story of her trouble, and received a consol- 
atory reassurance of his alfection at once. But she was 
alone. She could confide in no one, and Mr. Portland's 
proposal, having made her see in what light men of the 
world regarded her tie to Lord Ilfracombe, had made her 
heart question if they could be correct, and he regarded 
it as they did. Her passionate nature, which was not 
formed for patience or long suffering or humility, cried 
out against the suspense to which it was subjected, and 
raised such violent emotions in her breast that, by the time 
they were exhausted, she was quite ill. When at last she 
raised herself from her downcast position on the sofa and 
tried, with swollen eyes and throbbing brain, to collect her 
thoughts, she found to her dismay that it was past five 
o'clock, and she had promised to call for Hetty and her 
husband at six. Her first thought was to remove the 
traces of her tears. She could not bear that the servants 
should see that she had been crying. She would never let 
them perceive that her position in the house cost her any 
anxiety or remorse, but bore herself bravely in their pres- 
ence as their mistress, who had not a thought of ever 
being otherwise. As soon as she had bathed her eyes and 
arranged her hair. Miss Llewellyn sat down at a davenport 
that stood by her sofa and scribbled a note to Hetty, 


32 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


inclosing her the seats for the Alhambra for that evening, 
and excusing herself from accompanying them on the score 
of a violent attack of neuralgia. Then she rung the bell 
for her maid, and desired her to send the letter at once to 
Oxford street, by hand. 

One of the grooms can go on horseback,^"’ she said, or 
James can take a hansom. But it must be delivered as 
soon as possible. And then you can bring me a cup of 
coffee, Marion, for I have such a headache that I can 
hardly open my eyes.^'’ 

‘^Lor! yes, ma’am, you do look bad,” returned the 
servant. ‘‘Your eyes are quite red-like, as if they was in- 
flamed. You must have caught cold last night. I thought 
you would, staying out so late, and without the carriage.” 

“Well, never mind; go and do as I tell you,” replied 
Miss Llewellyn, who felt as if she could not endure her 
chatter one moment longer. 

It was characteristic of this woman, that what had 
occurred had planted far less dread of the insecurity of the 
position she held in her mind, than a deep sense of the 
insult that had been offered to her love and Lord Ilfra- 
combe’s. She felt it on his account more than on her own 
— that any one should have dared so to question his honor 
and suspect his constancy. Hers was so ardent and gener- 
ous a temperament, that where she gave, she gave all, and 
without a question if she should gain or lose by the trans- 
action. She loved the man whom she regarded as her hus- 
band with the very deepest feelings she possessed; it is not 
too much to say that she adored him, for he was so much 
above her, in rank, and birth and station, that she looked 
up to him as a god — the only god, indeed, that poor Nell 
had learned to acknowledge. He was her world — her all I 
That they should ever he separated never entered into her 
calculations. He had been struck with her unusual beauty 
three years before, and taken her from a very lowly position 
as nurse maid to be his housekeeper — then, by degrees, the 
rest had followed. All Lord Ilfracombe’s friends knew 
and admired her, and considered him a deuced lucky fellow 
to have secured such a goddess to preside over his bachelor 
establishment. Naturally, the elder ones said it was a pity, 
and it was to be hoped that Lord Ilfracombe’s eyes would 


A BAKKRUPT HEART. 


33 


be opened before long to the necessity of marriage, and an 
heir to the fine old estate and title. Especially did his 
father’s old friend and adviser, Mr. Sterndale, lament over 
the connection, and try by every means in his power to per- 
suade Ilfracombe to dissolve it. But the Earl was of a 
careless and frivolous nature — easily led in some things, 
and very blind as yet to the necessity of marriage. Besides, 
he loved Nell — not as she loved him by any manner of 
means, but in an indolent, indulgent fashion, which granted 
her all her desires, and gave her as much money as she 
knew what to do with. But had he been asked if he would 
marry her, he would have answered decidedly, No.” 


34 


CHAPTER IV. 

Meantime, the golden hours were slipping away in a 
very agreeable manner for Lord Ilfracombe at Malta. He 
had been accustomed to spend several weeks of each 
summer yachting with a few chosen companions, and, ns 
soon as his little yacht, Debutante,^'’ had anchored in 
view of V aletta, a score of husbands, fathers and brothers 
had scrambled aboard, carrying a score of invitations for 
the new-comer from their woman-kind. A young, good- 
looking and unmarried earl was not so common a visitor to 
Malta as ^to be allowed to consider himself neglected, and, 
before Lord Ilfracombe and his friends had been located a 
week in Valetta, they were the lions of the place, each 
family vying with the other to do them honor. Naturally, 
the earl was pretty well used to that sort of thing, espe- 
cially as he had enjoyed his title for the last ten years. 
There is such an ingrained snobbishness in the English 
nature, that it is only necessary to have a handle to one^s 
name to get off scot-free, whatever one may do. There 
was a divorce case, not so very long ago, which was as 
flagrant as such a case could well be, but where the titled 
wife came oft' triumphant, simply because the titled hus- 
band had been as immoral as herself. The lady had money; 
the lady had good looks — how far they went to salve over 
the little errors of which she had been accused, it is impos- 
sible to say, but the bulk of the public forgave her, and the 
parsons prayed over her; and she is to be met everywhere, 
and usually surrounded by a clique of adoring tuft 
hunters. Sometimes I have wondered, had she been plain 
Mrs. Brown instead of Lady Marcus Marengo, if the satel- 
lites would have continued to revolve so faithfully! But 
in sweet, simple, Christian England, a title, even a borrowed 
one, covers a multitude of sins ! The Earl of Ilfracombe had 
naturally not been left to find this proof out for himself, but, 
to give him his due, it had never' affected him in the least. 
HS despised servility, though, like most of his sex, he was 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


35 


open to flattery— the flattery of deeds, not words. Amongst 
the many families who threw wide their doors to him in 
Malta, was that of Admiral Sir Eichard Abinger, who had 
been stationed there for many years. Sir Eichard was a 
regular family man. He had married sons and daughters, 
a bevy of girls on their promotion, and a nursery of little 
ones. The Abinger girls, as they were called, were an in- 
stitution in Valetta. On account of their father’s profes- 
sional duties, and their mother’s constant occupation with 
her younger children, they were allowed to go about a 
great deal alone, and had become frank and fearless, and 
very well able to take care of themselves in consequence. 
They personally conducted Lord Ilfracombe and his friends 
to see everything worth seeing in Malta, and a considerable 
intimacy was the result. There were three sisters, of the 
respective ages of eighteen, twenty and twenty-two, and 
it was the middle one of these three, Leonora, or Nora, as 
she was generally called, who attracted Lord Ilfracombe 
most. She was not exactly pretty, but graceful and 
piquant. Her complexion was pale. Her eyes, brown and 
not very large. Her nose sharp and inclined to be long. 
Her mouth, of an ordinary size ; but her teeth ravishingly 
white and regular. A connoisseur, summing up her perfec- 
tions, would have totaled them by pronouncing her to 
have long eyelashes, well-marked eyebrows, good teeth and 
red lips. But Nora Abinger’s chief charm did not lie in 
physical attractions. To many it would not have counted 
as a charm at all. They would have set it down as a 
decided disqualification. This was her freedom of speech, 
her quickness of repartee, her sense of the ridiculous, and 
her power of sustaining a conversation. Young men of 
the present day, who find their greatest pleasure in asso- 
ciating with women whom they would not dare introduce 
to their mothers and sisters, are apt to become rather dumb 
when they, find themselves in respectable society. This 
had been much the case hitherto with the Earl of Ilfra- 
combe. He had assiduously neglected his duties to society 
(if, indeed, we do owe any duty to such a mass of corrup- 
tion and deceit), and had found his pleasure amongst his 
own sex, and in pursuing the delights of sport, not except- 
ing that of the racing field, on which he had lost at times 


36 


A BANKKUPT HEABT. 


a considerable amount of money. To find that his ignor- 
ance of society squibs and fashions, his slowness of speech 
and ideas, his inability to make jokes, and sometimes even 
to see them, was no drawback in Nora’s eyes; and that she 
chattered no less glibly because he was silent, raised him in 
his own estimation. In fact, Nora was a girl who made 
conversation for her companions. She rubbed up their 
wits by friction with her own; and people who had been 
half an hour in her company felt all the brightness with 
which she had infused them, and were better pleased with 
themselves in consequence. Lord Ilfracombe experienced 
this to the fullest extent. For the first time, perhaps, in his 
life he walked and talked with a young lady without feel- 
ing himself ill at ease, or with nothing to say. Nora 
talked with him about Malta and its inhabitants, many of 
whom she took ofi to the life for his amusement. She 
drew him out on the subject of England (which she had 
not visited since she was a child), and his particular bit of 
England before all the rest; made him tell her of his favor- 
ite pursuits, and found, strange to say, that they all agreed 
with her own tastes, and lamented often and openly that 
there was no chance of her father leaving that abominable, 
stupid island, of which she was so sick. Miss Nora Abinger 
had, indeed, determined, from the very first, to secure the 
Earl, if possible, for herself. Her two sisters, Mabel and 
Susan, entertained the same aspiration, but they stood ne 
chance against keen-witted Nora, who was as knowing a 
young lady as the present century can produce. She was 
tired to death, as she frankly said, of their family life. 
The Admiral would have been well off if he had not had 
such a large family; but thirteen children are enough to 
try the resources of any profession. Five of the brothers 
and sisters were married, and should have been off his 
hands; but the many expenses contingent on matrimony, 
and the numerous grandchildren with which they annually 
endowed him, often brought them back in forma pauperis 
on their father’s hands. His nursery offspring, too, would 
soon be needing education and a return to England, so that 
Sir Eichard had to think twice before he acceded to the 
requests of his marriageable maidens for ball dresses and 
pocket money. All these drawbacks in her domestic life 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


37 


^ora confided, little by little, to her new friend, the Earl, 
until the young man yearned to carry the girl away to 
England with him, and give her all that she desired. He 
could not help thinking, as he listened to her gay, rattling 
talk, how splendidly she would do the honors of Thistle- 
mere and Cotswood for him; what a graceful, elegant, 
witty countess she would make; what an attraction for his 
bachelor friends; what a hostess to receive the ladies of his 
family! The upshot was just what might have been 
expected. Lounging, one day, on a bench under the shade 
of the orange trees, which overhung the water’s edge, 
whilst their companions had wandered along the quay. 
Lord Ilfracombe asked her if she would go back to England 
with him. Nora was secretly delighted with the offer, but 
not, at all taken aback. 

What do you think ? ” she inquired, looking up at him 
archly with her bright eyes. ^^You know I’ve liked you 
ever since you came here, and if you can manage to pull 
along with me, I’m sure I can with you.” 

“Pull along with you, my darling!” cried the young 
man. “Why, I adore you beyond anything! I don’t know 
how I should get on now, without your bright talk and fas- 
cinating ways to cheer my life.” 

“AVell, you’ll have to talk to papa about it, you know,” 
resumed Nora. “ I don’t suppose he’ll make any objection 
(he’ll be a great fool if he does); still, there’s just the chance 
of it; so I can’t say anything for certain till you’ve seen him. 
He’s awfully particular — very religious, you know, and 
always says he’d rather marry us to parsons without a 
halfpenny than dukes who were not all they ought to be. 
But that may be all talkee-talkee. Though I hope you’re 
a good boy, all the same, for my sake! ” 

“ 0 I’m an awfully good boy,” replied Lord Ilfracombe. 
“ This is the very first offer I ever made a girl in my life, 
and if you won’t have me, Nora, it will be the last. Say 
you like me a little, darling, whatever papa may say.” 

“ I do like you ever so much, and I don’t believe there’ll 
be any hitch in the matter.” 

“ But if there were — if your father has any objection to 
me as a son-in-law — will that make you break with me, 
Nora?” 


38 


A BAi^KRUPT HEART. 


" Of course not! There’s my hand on it! But I don’t 
see how we are to get married in this poky little place with- 
out his consent. But there! don’t let us think of such a 
thing. He’ll give it, fast enough. But we had better go 
home now and get the matter over at once.” 

‘^You’ll give me one kiss before we go, Nora?” pleaded 
Ilfracombe. ^^No one can see us here. Just one, to prove 
you love me.” 

“ Out in the open ! ” cried the girl, with comical dismay. 

0 Lord Ilfracombe! what are you thinking of? You 
don’t know what a horrid place this is for scandal. Why, 
if a boatman or beggar came by, it would be all over the 
town before the evening. 0 no! you must wait till we are 
properly engaged before you ask for such a thing.” 

“I’ll take my revenge on you, then,” said the young 
man, gaily; but he was disappointed, all the same, that 
Nora had not given it to him. 

Sir Eichard Abinger was unaffectedly surprised when the 
Earl asked for an interview and made his wishes known. 
His daughters had walked about and talked with so many 
men before, without receiving a proposal. And that Lord 
Ilfracombe should have fixed on Nora seemed to him the 
greatest surprise of all. 

“ Nora,” he reiterated, ‘‘Nora ! Are you sure that you 
mean Nora? I should have thought that Mabel or Susie 
would have been more likely to take your fancy. People tell 
me that Susie is the beauty of the family — that she is so 
very much admired. We have always considered Nora to 
be the plainest of them all.” 

“ I do not consider her so. Sir Eichard, I can assure you,”“ 
replied the Earl. “Although, at the same time, I have 
chosen her much more for her mind than her looks. She 
is the most charmingly vivacious girl I have ever come 
across. She is as clever as they’re made.” 

“0 yes, yes! very clever,” said the old man; “but now 
we come to the most important matter.” 

“ The settlements — 0 yes ! I hope I shall be able to sat- 
isfy you thoroughly with respect to them.” 

“ No, Lord Ilfracombe, not the settlements, though of 
course, they are necessary, but in my eyes quite a minor 
consideration. My daughter Nora is — well, to be frank 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


39 


with you, she is not my favorite daughter. Perhaps it is 
our own fault (for the poor child has been left a great deal 
to herself), but she is more heedless — less reliable — how shall 
I put it ? — let me say, more headstrong and inclined to 
have her own way, than her sisters. It will require a strong 
man and a sensible man to guide her through life — aye, 
more than these, a man! The position you offer her 
is a very brilliant one, and I should be proud to see her fill 
it ; but, before I give my consent to her marrying you, I 
must be assured that the example you set her will be such 
as to raise, instead of debase, her.'" 

I do not understand what you mean," replied the 
young man, with a puzzled air. How can you possibly 
suspect me of setting my wife a bad example ? " 

‘‘^Not practically, perhaps, but theoretically. Lord Ilfra- 
combe. Forgive me if I touch upon a delicate subject; but, 
in the interests of my daughter, I must lay aside all 
false scruples. I have heard something of your domestic 
life in England from the men who have come over here, 
and I must ascertain for certain that everything of that 
kind will be put a stop to before you marry Nora." 

Lord Ilfracombe reddened with shame. 

Of course, of course," he said, after a pause. How 
can you doubt it ?" 

I am aware," continued the Admiral, that men of the 
present day think little of such matters; that they believe 
all that goes on before marriage is of no consequence to 
any one but themselves. But it is not so. Some years 
back, perhaps, our women were kept in such ignorance of 
the ways of the world, .that they believed only what their 
husbands chose to tell them. But now it is very different. 
Their eyes seem to have been opened, and they see for 
themselves, and act for themselves. I am often astonished 
at the insight given to me, by my own daughters, to female 
nature. Where they have learned it in this quiet little 
place, I cannot imagine. It seems to me as if they were 
born wide-awake. And Nora is especially so. She is ready 
to be anything you choose to make her. And if she found 
out that you had deceived her, I would not answer for the 
consequences." 

^^You may rely on my word, sir, that in the future I 


40 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


will never deceive her. With regard to the past, I should 
like to make a clean breast to you, in order that hereafter 
you may not he able to say I have kept anything back. 
Others may also have represented my life as worse than it 
has been, and, as my future father-in-law, I should wish you 
to think the best of me. Some three years ago I fell in with 
a very beautiful young woman, in a humble station of life, 
whom I took into my household as housekeeper. After a 
while — there was nothing coarse or vulgar about her, and 
her beauty was something extraordinary — I succumbed to 
the temptation of seeing her constantly before my eyes, and 
raised her to the position of my mistress.” 

I beg your pardon. Lord Ilfracombe,” said the Admiral, 
looking up. 

^AVell, not raised, exactly, perhaps; but you know what 
I mean. We were mutually attracted; but, of course, it 
was understood from the beginning that the connection 
would only last until I thought fit to marry. Now, of 
course, I shall pension her otf, and have already written to 
my solicitor on the subject. This is really all that any 
man can say against me. Sir Eichard; and it is far less 
than the generality of young fellows of the present day 
have to confess to. My life has always been a clean one. 
I have no debts; my property is unincumbered, and I have 
no proclivities for low tastes or companions. If you will 
trust your daughter to my care, I promise that her private 
rights shall be protected as rigorously as her public ones.” 

It is a grand position,” said the father, thoughtfully; 
'^and I do not know that I should be justified in refusing it 
for Nora. Only it seems very terrible to me about this 
other young woman. How is your marriage likely to affect 
her? I could have no faith in the stability of my 
daughter’s happiness, if it were built up on the misery of 
another.” 

Lord Ilfracombe looked up astonished. 

0 Sir Richard, you need have no scruples on that ac- 
count, I assure you. These people do not feel as we do. I 
should have ended the business any way, for I was getting 
rather sick of it. To prove what I say is correct, I have 
already written to my man of business, Mr. Sterndale, to 
draw up a deed, settling five thousand pounds upon her. 


A BANKKUPT HEAET. 


41 


which will secure her an ample annuity for a woman in her 
sphere of life. She was only a country girl, somewhere out 
of Scotland, I believe. She will be all right; and, honestly, 
I never wish to hear her name again.^’ 

“ Very well. Lord Ilfracombe. Of course, under any cir- 
cumstances, the termination of such a connection is a good 
thing, and I am glad to hear that the remembrance of it is 
distasteful to you. You are a man of honor, and therefore 
I accept your assurance that it is all over henceforth, and 
that you will make my daughter a kind and faithful hus- 
band. But be careful of her, and don’t let her have too 
much of her own way. I’ve seen the bad effects of such a 
course of behavior before now.” 

So it was a settled thing that Miss Nora Abinger was to 
become the Countess Ilfracombe, and she rose in the es- 
timation of the residents of Malta accordingly. She had 
been a fast, bold, flirting girl, as Nora Abinger; but when 
she was announced as the future Lady Ilfracombe, it was 
suddenly discovered that she was really excessively clever 
and witty; and, though no one could call her exactly pretty, 
there was something — jeune sais quoi, about her manner of 
holding herself, and the way she turned her head, that was 
certainly very fascinating. Her promised husband, who 
had discovered her fascinations before, and was admitted 
to the full enjoyment of all her willful moods, and witty 
sayings, fell more deeply in love with her every day, and 
hardly had patience to wait till the wedding preparations 
were completed, for the fulflllment of his happiness. If a 
thought of Nell Llewellyn crossed his mind at this period, 
it was only to hope that her interview with Sterndale had 
passed off quietly, and that she would have the sense to 
clear out without any fuss. So intensely selfish does a new 
passion make a man. The time had been when Nell, who 
was twice as strong, mentally and physically, as Nora 
Abinger, was Lord Ilfracombe’s ideal of a woman. Her 
finely moulded form had seemed to him the perfec- 
tion of symmetry; her majestic movements, the bearing 
of a queen ; the calm, classic expression of her features, 
just what that of a well-bred gentlewoman’s should be. 
Now, he was gazing rapturously, day after day, upon 
Nora’s mobile face ; on her slim and lissom figure, which. 


42 


A BAI^KKUPT HEART. 


stripped of its clothing, resembled nothing better than a 
willow wand; and listening eagerly to her flow of non- 
sensical chatter, during which she successively checked 
her parents and himself, ridiculed her acquaintances, 
scolded her younger brethren, and took her own way in 
everything, "in truth, she differed as greatly from the 
loving, submissive woman, who lived but to please him, in 
England, as she possibly could do, and herein lay her 
attraction for him. 

Nell Llewellyn was more beautiful, more obedient, and 
more loving; but Nora more new. He had become just a 
little bit tired of Nell, and he had never met a girl who 
treated him as Nora did, before. She spoke to him ex- 
actly as she chose; she didn't seem to care a pin about his 
title or his money. She contradicted him freely; refused 
his wishes, whenever they clashed in any degree with her 
own; and let him fully understand that she intended to do 
exactly as she chose, for the remainder of her life. She was 
a new experience to Lord Ilfracombe, who had been accus- 
tomed to be deferred to in everything. Perhaps she knew 
this; perhaps she was ^^cute^^ enough to guess the likeliest 
method by which to snare the fish she had set her heart on 
catching. Anyway, the bait took, and the gudgeon was 
netted. The Earl of Ilfracombe and Miss Nora Abinger 
were formally engaged, and the wedding day was fixed. 
But still the young lady did not relax her discipline, and her 
lover’s privileges remained few and far between. 

“ Paws off, Pompey ! ” she would cry, if he attempted to 
take any of the familiarities permissible to engaged people. 

Do you want Vicenzo or Giorgione to make us the jest of 
Valetta? Don’t you know that ^spooning’ is out of 
fashion? We leave all that sort of thing to the hoi poUoi 
now-a-days.” 

0 do we ? ” the young man would retort, playfully. 

Then I’ll belong to the hoipolloi, Nora, if you please. At 
all events, I’m going to have a kiss.” 

At all events, you’re going to have no such thing; at 
least, not now. There’ll be plenty of time for all that kind 
of nonsense after we’re married, and we’re not there yet^ 
you know. Don’t forget, there’s many a slip ’twixt cup and 
lip.” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


45 


Then, seeing him frown, she would add, coaxingly, 
twisting her mouth up into the most seductive curves as 
she spoke: 

There, donT be vexed. You^ll have too much of kiss- 
ing some day, you know. Come out in the boat with me. 
Youhe the most troublesome boy I ever knew. There^sno 
keeping you in order in the house.'’^ 

So he would follow her obediently, with his longing still 
ungratified, and always looking forward to a luckier to- 
morrow. Whoever had been her instructor. Miss Nora 
Abinger had certainly learnt the art of keeping a man at 
her feet. Perhaps the same thought struck him also; for 
one day, when they were alone together, he asked her if he 
were the only man she had ever loved. Nora looked at 
him with the keenest appreciation lurking in the corners 
of her mirthful eyes. 

" Are you the only man IVe ever loved, Ilfracombe ? 
she repeated, after him; "well, I don’t think so.” 

"You don’t think so? Good heavens! do you mean to 
tell me you’ve had other lovers beside myself ? ” he ex- 
claimed, getting into a sudden fury. 

" My dear boy, do you know how old I am ? Twenty, 
last birthday. What are you dreaming of ? Do you sup- 
pose all the men in Malta are deaf, dumb, and blind ? Of 
course I’ve had other lovers; scores of them.” 

"But you didn’t love them, Nora — not as you love me?”' 
Lord Ilfracombe asked, anxiously. 

"Well, before I can answer that question, we must de- 
cide how much I do love you. Any way, I didn’t marry 
any of them, though I might have had a dozen husbands 
by this time, if I had accepted them all. As it is, you see, 
I chucked them over.” 

"But were you engaged to any of them, Nora?” he per- 
sisted. 

She might easily have said " no,” but it was not in this 
girl’s nature to deceive. She was frankly naughty, defi- 
antly so, some people might have said; and rather gloried 
in her faults than otherwise. Besides, she dearly loved to 
tease her lover, and tyrannize over him. 

"0 yes, I was,” she replied; "that is, I had a kind of a 
sort of an engagement with several of them. But it 


44 


A BAIs^KRUPT HEART. 


amounted to nothing. There was only one, of the whole 
lot, I shed a single tear for.^" 

And, pray, who may he have been ? ” demanded Lord 
Ilfracombe, with a sudden access of dignity. 

^^Find out for yourself,"' she said, pertly. ^^0, he was a 
dear. Quite six foot high, with the goldenest golden hair 
you ever saw. Not a bit like yours. I call yours flaxen ; 
it's too pale; hut his had a rich tinge in it, and he had such 
lovely eyes; just like a summer night. I nearly cried my- 
self blind when he left Malta." 

“ It seems to me," said the Earl, with the same offended 
uir he had assumed before, “ that I am de trop here, since 
fhe recollection of this fascinating admirer is still so fresh. 
Perhaps I had better resign in favor of him, while there is 
still time." 

“Just as you like," returned Nora, indifferently. “I 
have no wish to bias your movements in any way. But if 
you did not want an answer, why did you put the question 
to me ? " 

“ But, Nora, my darling, you did not mean what you said. 
You did not waste any of your precious tears on this brute, 
surely. You said it only to tease me." 

“ Indeed, I did not. Do you imagine you are the only 
nice man I have ever seen — that I have been shut up on 
this island, like poor Miranda, and never met a man before ? 
"VYhat a simpleton you must be. Of course I was engaged 
to him, and should have been married to him by this time, 
■only the poor dear had no certain income, and papa would 
not hear of it. And I cried for weeks afterwards, when- 
ever I heard his name mentioned. Would you have had me 
an insensible block, and not care whether we had to give each 
ether up or no ? " 

“No, no, of course not; but it is terrible to me, Nora, to 
think you could have cared for another man." 

“ Rubbish! " cried the young lady. “ How many women 
have you cared for, yourself ? Come now, let us have the 
list." 

The Earl blushed uneasily. 

“I have told you already," he replied, “that you are 
the first woman I have ever asked to be the Countess Ilfra- 
oomhe." 


A BANKKUPT HEAKT. 


45 


And I didn^t ask you how many women you had pro- 
posed to, but how many you had thought you loved. Tho 
list can't be so long that you have forgotten them all. Let's 
begin at the end. That will make it easier. Who was tho 
last woman before me ? " 

''That is a very silly question, Nora; and I consider that 
I have already answered it. Besides, I am not a young^ 
lady, and that makes all the difference." 

"In your idea, Ilfracombe, perhaps, hut not mine. We 
women see no difference in the two things at all. And if 
you cannot produce a clean bill of health in the matter of 
having loved before, you have no right to expect it of me. 
Besides, my dear hoy," she continued, in a more soothing- 
voice, "do you mean to tell me, in this nineteenth century,, 
that you have reached your present age— what is your pres- 
ent age, Ilfracombe, nine and twenty, is it not ? — without 
having made love to heaps of women? Not that I caro 
one jot. I am not such a zany. I think it's all for the 
best, since 'pot will not be able to call kettle black,^ 
eh?" 

And she glanced up into his face from under her long- 
eyelashes, in so fascinating a manner, that the Earl caught 
her in his arms before she had time to remonstrate, and 
forgot all about the former lover. 

So the time wore away, each day more delightful than 
the last, spent under the orange and myrtle trees, or in sail- 
ing round the bay, until the longed-for wedding morning 
broke, and they were married in the English church at 
Malta. Their plans were to go to a hotel higher up in 
the island for a fortnight's honeymoon; after which they 
were to start in the " Debutante " for the Grecian Isles, be- 
fore returning to England. 

A few days after his marriage. Lord Ilfracombe received, 
a letter by the English mail that seemed greatly to disturb 
him. He was most anxious to conceal it, and his own feel- 
ings regarding it, from the observation of his wife; and this 
he had no difficulty in doing, as she did not appear even to 
have noticed that he was unlike himself. The letter was 
from a woman, long and diffusive, and he read it many 
times. Then he entered their sitting room, and addressed 
Lady Ilfracombe. 


46 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


Have you torn up the paper that contained the descrip- 
tion of our marriage, darling ? ” he inquired. 

‘^What! That local thing ? No. I never looked at it a 
second time. It is somewhere about. What can you possi- 
bly want with it, Ilfracombe ? 

Only to send to one of my English friends, Nora. It 
is so funnily worded, it will amuse them.^^ 

And then he found it and put it in a wrapper, and di- 
rected it to Miss Llewellyn, 999 Grosvenor Square, London. 


47 


CHAPTEE V. 

Miss Llewellyn had almost forgotten that she was to 
expect a visit from Lord Ilfracombe's solicitor, Mr. Stern- 
dale, when, one day, as she was sitting alone, his card was 
brought in to her. Hetty and William had returned to Usk 
by this time. Their modest resources could not stand out 
against more than a week in London, though their sister 
had helped them as much as they would allow her. So they 
were gone, taking the fresh smell of the country with them, 
and leaving Miss Llewellyn more melancholy and depressed 
than they had found her. For she had not heard again 
from Lord Ilfracombe since the few lines she had re- 
ceived on the day of their arrival, and she was beginning to 
dread all sorts of unlikely things, just because the unusual 
silence frightened her, like a child left alone in the dark. 
Hetty and Will had been most urgent that she should 
accompany them back to Usk, and, for a moment, Nell 
thought the temptation too great to be resisted. What 
would she not give for a sight of her dear mother's face, 
she thought — for her father's grave smile; for a night or 
two spent in the old farmhouse where she had been so care- 
less and so happy; to lie down to sleep with the scent of the 
climbing roses and honeysuckle in her nostrils, and the 
lowing of the cattle and twittering of the wild birds in 
her ears! And Ilfracombe had urged her to take change 
of air, too. He would be pleased to hear she had left Lon- 
don for awhile. But here came the idea that he might 
return home any day, perhaps unexpectedly, and sooner 
than he imagined; and then if she were absent what would 
he think ? — what would she sutler ? She would not cease 
to reproach herself. 0 no! it was useless for Hetty to 
plead with her. She would come back some day — when she 
could have a holiday without inconvenience, but just now, 
with the master of the house absent, her mother would un- 
derstand it was impossible — it would not be right for her, 
in her position as housekeeper, to leave the servants to 


48 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


look out for themselves. So Hetty, having been brought 
up very strictly with regard to duty, was fain to acquiesce 
in her sister’s decision and comfort herself with the hope 
that she would fulfil her promise some day. But when 
they had left London, Nell felt as if she had escaped a 
great danger, and was only just able to breathe freely 
again. And had she accompanied them to Usk and gone 
to stay at Panty-cuckoo Farm, she would have felt almost 
as had. To live under the eyes of her parents day after day — 
to have to submit to their eager questioning — to evade their 
sharpness, for country people are sometimes very sharp in 
matters that affect their domestic happiness, and very proud 
and eager for revenge when their family honor is com- 
promised; all this, Nell felt, she dared not, under present 
circumstances, undergo. So she was sorry and glad to part 
with her sister at the same time, but her advent had so put 
other matters out of her head, that she was quite startled 
at receiving Mr. Sterndale’s card, It revived all the old 
curiosity which the first notice of his coming had evoked 
in her mind. What on earth could he possibly have to say 
to her? However, that question would soon be put to rest, 
and she was bound, for Ilfracombe’s sake, to receive him. 
She happened to be in her boudoir at the time, and told 
the servant to desire her visitor to walk up there. Nell 
knew that the lawyer did not like her, and the feeling was 
reciprocal. 

Mr. Sterndale was a little, old man of sixty, with silver hair, 
a very cute lawyer, and a firm friend, but uncompromising 
to a degree — a man from whom a fallen woman might 
expect no mercy. Miss Llewellyn had said, in her letter 
to her lover, that she knew Mr. Sterndale regarded her as 
a harpy who cared for nothing but his money, and this esti- 
mate of his opinion was strictly true. W ith him, women were 
divided into only two classes — moral and immoral. The 
class to which poor Nell belonged was generally mercenary 
and grasping, and deserted a poor man to join a richer one, 
and he had no idea that she was any different. She was 
beautiful, he saw; so much the more dangerous, and all his 
fear of late years had been lest the Earl should have taken 
it in his head to marry her, as, indeed, except for Mr. 
Sterndale’s constant warnings and entreaties^ he would 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


49 


have done. Now he rejoiced to think that his client was 
about to be wedded to a woman in his own sphere of life, 
for the news of the marriage had not yet reached England, 
and he had come to Grosvenor Square to fulfill Lord Ilfra- 
combe’s request that he would break the intelligence to 
Miss Llewellyn as calmly and deliberately as if he were the 
bearer of the best of news. She did not rise as he entered, 
but, bowing rather curtly, begged he would be seated and 
disclose his business with her. She had been accustomed 
for so long to be treated by this man as the mistress of the 
establishment, that she had come to regard him much as 
Lord Ilfracombe did, in the light of a servant. Mr. Sterndale 
noted the easy familiarity with which she motioned him to 
take a chair, and chuckled inwardly to think how soon their 
relative positions would be reversed. 

Good-morning,” commenced Miss Llewellyn. Ilfra- ■ 
combe wrote me word I might expect a visit from you, Mr. 
Sterndale, but I have no idea for what purpose.” 

Perhaps not, madam,” was the reply, but it will soon 
be explained. Have you heard from his lordship lately ? ” 
Miss Llewellyn raised her head, proudly. 

‘‘1 hear constantly, as you are aware. Ilfracombe is. 
well, I am thankful to say, and apparently enjoying him- 
self. He has made some pleasant acquaintances in Valetta, 
and they are urging him to stay on a little longer, else he 
would have returned before now. He is longing to get 
home again, I know.” 

Ah ! perhaps, very likely,” replied Mr. Sterndale, who 
was fumbling with some papers he held in his hand; “in- 
deed, I have no doubt his lordship will be back before long 
— when he has completed another little trip he has in con- 
templation to the Grecian Isles.” 

Nell’s face assumed a look of perplexity. 

Another yachting trip and not homewards? 0 I think 
you must be mistaken, Mr. Sterndale, or are you saying it 
only to tease me ? He has been gone four months already, 
ever since the fifth of April, and I am expecting to hear he 
has started for home, by every mail. What has put such 
an idea into your head ? ” 

No one else than his lordship himself. Miss Llewellyn. 
In a letter from him, dated the beginning of the month. 


50 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


but which, for reasons which I will give hereafter, I have 
not thought fit to bring to you till now, he distinctly says 
that, when certain arrangements which he is contemplating 
in Malta are completed, he intends to sail for the Grecian 
Isles, and does not expect to be home at Thistlemere till 
late in the autumn.^'’ 

Nell looked fearfully anxious and distressed. 

cannot believe it,^"* she said, incredulously. ‘^Why 
should Ilfracombe make any arrangements without con- 
sulting me first ? He always has done so. I might have 
wished to join him at Malta. We have been separated for 
such a long time now — longer than ever before, and I have 
told him how sick and weary I am of it — how I long to 
see him again ! 

“ The money has not run short, has it ? inquired the 
solicitor; ^^for, if so, you should have applied to me.'’^ 

She gave a shrug of impatience. 

My money has never run short, thank you,” she replied. 

Ilfracombe thinks too much of my comfort for that.” 

It is his long stay abroad then that is puzzling you,” con- 
tinued Mr. Sterndale; *^but I am in a position to explain 
that. I have a painful task before me. Miss Llewellyn, 
but I don't know that I shall make it any better by beat- 
ing about the bush.” 

A painful task ! ” she echoed, with staring eyes. “ For 
God's sake, don't tell me that my — that Ilfracombe is ill!” 

No, no I nothing of the sort! But has it never occurred 
to you. Miss Llewellyn, that circumstances may alter in this 
life — that a tie like that between you and Lord Ilfracombe, 
for example, does not, as a rule, last forever ? ” 

“No, never,” she answered, firmly, “because it is no or- 
dinary tie, and Lord Ilfracombe is a gentleman. I am as 
sure of him as I am of myself. He would never break his 
word to me! ” 

“ There is no question of breaking his word. You know 
the conditions under which you took up your residence 
in this house, and that you have no legal right here.” 

“Have you come here to insult me ?” cried Nell, shrilly, 
“ How dare you allude to any agreement between Lord Il- 
fracombe and myself? I am here; that is quite enougli 
for you to know, and the Earl has said that I am to remain. 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


51 


I am sure he never desired you to come here and taunt me 
with my position.!^ 

Taunt y my dear lady! That is scarcely the word to 
use. I was only reminding you, as gently as I knew how, 
that your position is untenable, and that young men are 
apt to change their minds."' 

^^Lord Ilfracombe will not change his," replied Miss 
Llewellyn, proudly. I am sure you have done your best 
to try and make him do so, Mr. Sterndale, but you have not 
succeeded." 

“ Perhaps not. I have certainly nothing to do with his 
lordship's prolonged absence from England; hut, since you 
profess to be much attached to him. Miss Llewellyn, has it 
never occurred to you what a very disadvantageous thing 
for the Earl this connection between you is ? " 

That is for the Earl to decide," said Miss Llewellyn. 

You are right, and he has decided. Lord Ilfracombe 
is a young man who owes a duty to society and the exalted 
station he occupies. His friends and family have been 
shocked and scandalized for the last three years to witness 
the outrage he has committed against the world and them, 
and that he has never considered the importance of found- 
ing a family to succeed him and of leaving an heir to 
inherit his ancient title." 

Miss Llewellyn's lip trembled, as she replied : 

‘^All very true, I daresay; but Lord Ilfracombe prefers 
his present state of affairs to the opinion of the world." 

Happily, I am in a position to inform you. Miss Llew- 
ellyn, that he has at last come to his senses, and determined 
to do his duty in that respect. In this letter," said Mr. 
Sterndale, dangling one in his hand as he spoke, Lord Il- 
fracombe desires me to break the news to you of his ap- 
proaching marriage with Miss Leonora Abinger, the 
daughter of Sir Kichard Abinger, which is fixed to come 
off at an early date." 

It is a lie! " cried Miss Llewellyn, as she rose to her feet, 
and drew herself up to her full height; “ a mean, wicked 
lie, which you have forged for some purpose of your own. 
0, you need not look at me like that, Mr. Sterndale. I 
have known for long how you hate me, and how glad you 
would be to get rid of me. I have too much infiuence over 


52 


A BANKKUPT HEAKT. 


Ilfracombe to suit your book. If you could persuade me 
to leave this house, and then convince him that I had gone 
off with some other man, it would fit in nicely with your 
own little plans, wouldn’t it? But you don’t hoodwink 
me. I know your master too well. He never wished me 
to leave his protection, nor told you to forge that lie in his 
name. He has no intention of marrying; if he had, he 
would have told me so himself, and not leave it to an attor- 
ney to deal the worst blow that life could give me. Leave 
the house, sir! Till the man whom I regard as my hus- 
band returns to it, there is no master here but I. Go ! and 
take your lies with you. I will believe your statement on 
no authority but that of Ilfracombe himself.” 

And that is just the authority with which I am armed. 
Miss Llewellyn, if you will but listen to me quietly. What 
is the use of making all this fuss over the inevitable ? You 
are acquainted with the Earl’s handwriting. Will you 
kindly glance at this, and tell me if you recognize it as 
his ? ” 

^^Yes, it is his.” 

Let me read it to you, and pray remember that the ser- 
vants are near at hand and ready to make capital out of all 
they hear. Are you listening to me ? ” 

Yes.” 

This letter is dated the second of July.” 

^^Dear Sterndale: You will be surprised, and, I sup- 
pose, delighted, to hear that I am engaged to be married to 
Miss Leonora Abinger, the second daughter of Admiral Sir 
Richard Abinger, a young lady of twenty. The wedding 
will take place within six weeks or so. Of course, the only 
difficulty with me is Miss Llewellyn. The news will be un- 
expected to her, and I am not quite sure how she will take 
it. W e have been together now for three years, and that is 
a long time. However, she is a very sensible woman, and 
must have known from the beginning that it was impossi- 
ble such a state of things could go on forever. Will you 
go, like a good soul, and break it to her? Of course 
she must be well provided for. What would be a 
suitable sum? Five thousand pounds? Draw up a 
settlement for whatever you consider best; but I want 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


53 


to be generous to her, for she has been very good to 
me. I should consider myself a scoundrel if I did not pro- 
vide for her for life ; but she will doubtless marry before 
long, and a few thousand will form a nice little dot for her. 
After my marriage, I am going to take my wife straight to 
the Grecian Isles, in the Debutante,^ so that we shall not 
he home till late in the autumn. You will see, like a good 
friend, that the coast is quite clear before then. We mean 
to go to Thistlemere for Christmas, and while the town 
house is being done up.” 

There, Miss Llewellyn,” said Mr. Sterndale, as he came 
to a full stop, “that is all of the letter that concerns you. 
The rest consists of directions about draining and decora- 
tion, and matters that ladies do not trouble their heads 
about. You perfectly understand now, I am sure, and 
will absolve me from attempting to deceive you in the 
business.” 

He glanced at her as he spoke, and observed she was sit- 
ting on the couch, with her head drooping on her breast. 

“ May I see the letter ? ” was all she said. 

He placed it in her hands, and she perused the portion 
he had read aloud, mechanically. Then she held it out to 
him again, and he pocketed it. But he wished she would 
say something. He did not like her total silence. It was 
so unlike Miss Llewellyn. With a view to disperse it, he 
continued: 

“ I told you I had a reason for not having called on you 
before. It was because I thought it best to have the set- 
tlement, which his lordship proposes to make upon you, 
properly drawn up, that you may be perfectly convinced of 
his good intentions towards you. The deed, of course, will 
not be complete without his signature; but, with a man of 
Lord Ilfracombe’s honor, you may rest assured of his sign- 
ing it on the first possible occasion; and, meanwhile, I am 
prepared, on my own account, to advance you any sum of 
money of which you may stand in need.” 

Still she did not answer his remarks, but sat silent and 
immovable, with her features concealed by the drooping of 
her head. 

“ His lordship is sure to he home before the winter; but if 


54 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


you wish to have this sum invested for you at once, I know I 
shall only be meeting his wishes in helping you to do so. 
Perhaps you would like me to put the money into the EarPs 
own coal mines, Miss Llewellyn. They are an excellent in- 
vestment, and the shares are paying seven per cent., a rate 
of interest which you are not likely to get elsewhere. And 
it would have this further advantage: that in case of any 
unforeseen accident, or depreciation in the market, I feel 
sure the Earl would never hear of your losing your money, 
whatever the other shareholders might do. The John Penn 
mine is yielding wonderfully — so is the Llewellyn, which, 
if I mistake not, the Earl called after yourself.'’^ 

Are you a man? demanded Nell, slowly raising her 
head, or are you a devil ? Cease chattering to me about 
your coal mines and shareholders. When I want to invest 
money, I shall not come to you to help or advise me. Do 
you suppose that I don't know that if this letter speaks 
truth — that if my — if the Earl contemplates doing what he 
says, it is not owing, in a great measure, to your advice and 
exhortations ? You were forever dinning the necessity of mar- 
riage into his ears. We have laughed over it together." 

“Have you, indeed? Well, I don't deny it. I have done 
my duty by Lord Ilfracombe, and I'm very glad to find 
that my advice has had a good effect. You laughed too 
soon, Miss Llewellyn; but whatever influence has been 
brought to bear upon his lordship, the fact remains, that it 
has been successful, and he is about to be married — may 
even now be married, at the present moment. Nothing 
now remains to be done, but for you to look at this settle- 
ment, and decide how soon it will be convenient for you to 
leave Grosvenor Square." 

He laid the paper on her lap as he spoke, but Miss Llew- 
ellyn sprang to her feet, and, seizing the document in her 
strong grasp, tore it across, and flung the fragments in the 
solicitor's face. 

“ Go back to your master! " she exclaimed; “to the man 
who was good and true and honorable until your crafty 
advice and insinuations made him forget his nobler nature, 
and tell him to take his money and spend it on the woman 
he marries, for I will have none of it ! Does he think he 
can pay me for my love, my faith, my honor ? In God's 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


55 


sight, I am the wife of Lord Ilfracomhe, and I will not 
accept his alms as if I were a beggar! For three years I 
have lived by his side, sharing all that was his — his pleas- 
ures, his troubles, and his pains I He has had all my love, 
my devotion, my duty! 1 have nursed him in sickness, 
and looked after his interests at all times, and I will not be 
remunerated for my services as if I were an hireling. Tell 
him I am his wife, and I throw his money back in his face. 
He can never pay me for what I have been to him ! He will 
never find another woman to fill my place. 

“ But, my dear madam, this is folly! Let me entreat you 
to be reasonable,^"’ said Mr. Sterndale, as he picked up the 
torn settlement. ‘‘You may have thought all this, but you 
know it is not tenable. You are not Lord Ilfracombe’s 
wife, and you never will be! You have been the most 
excellent of friends and companions — 1 admit that freely; 
but the time has come for parting, and the wisest and most 
sensible thing for you to do is to acquiesce in his lordship’s 
decision and effect this little alteration in his domestic ar- 
rangements as quietly as possible. It m'lLst he, you know! 
Why not let it pass without scandal ? ” 

“ We have not been only friends and companions,” she re- 
peated, scornfully; “we have been the dearest and closest 
of lovers and confidantes ! 0 why should I speak to you of 

it? What should you know of such things? It is not in 
you to love any one as I have loved Ilfracombe, and he has 
loved me! But I do not believe your story, not even from 
the letter you showed me! I don’t believe he wrote it! 
You lawyers are cunning enough for anything! You may 
have forged his writing. So I reject your news and your 
settlement and yourself! Leave me at once, and don’t 
come near me again. I will accept this assurance from no 
one but Ilfracombe, and I shall not quit his house till he 
tells me to do so. He left me in charge here, and I do not 
relinquish it till my master bids me go.” 

“ He’ll bid you fast enough,” replied the solicitor, as he 
gathered up his papers and prepared to leave her; ‘‘and it 
will be your own fault. Miss Llewellyn, if your exit is made 
more unpleasant to you than it need have been. The 
decorators will be in the house, probably, before you get 
any answer to your appeal to his lordship.” 


56 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


"^Then I shall superintend the decorators/' she said, 
haughtily. As long as any one sleeps here, I shall sleep 
here, unless Ilfracombe tells me to go." 

^^Very ill-advised, very foolish," remarked Mr. Stern- 
dale; ‘^hut don't blame me if you sutler for your 
obstinacy ! " 

All I want is to get rid of you !" she cried. I have 
always disliked you, and now I hate you — like poison!" 

“ Much obliged, I'm sure," he said, as he left the room. 

But he revenged himself for the affronts she had put 
upon him, as he went down-stairs. 

You must tell the women to look after poor Miss Llew- 
ellyn," he whispered to the footman who let him out, for 
I have been the hearer of bad news to her." 

Indeed, sir I " said the man. 

Yes, though it is the best possible for all the rest of 
you. Your master is to be married very shortly to a 
young lady in Malta. There will be high jinks for all of 
you servants when he brings his bride home to England; 
but you must know what it will mean former" — jerking 
his thumb toward the upper story. 

‘AY ell, naturally," acquiesced the footman, with a wink. 

She won't be here long, but you must make her as com- 
fortable as you can during her stay. And you are welcome 
to tell the news everywhere. It's no secret. I've a letter 
from the Earl in my pocket to say that he will bring her 
ladyship home in time for the Christmas festivities at 
Thistlemere. Good-morning!" 

Good-morning, sir! " echoed the footman, and rushed 
down to the servants' hall to disseminate the tidings. 

Meanwhile, Nell, with her limbs as cold as stone and all 
her pulses at fever heat, was dashing off the impassioned 
letter which Lord Ilfracombe received a few days after his 
wedding. 

My darling, my own," she wrote, heedless of who should 
see the letter, Mr. Sterndale has just been here to tell me 
you are thinking of getting married. But it is not true — 
I don't believe it— I told him so to his face. 0 Ilfra- 
combe! it cannot be true. Write to me, for God's 
sake, as soon as you receive this, and tell me it is a lie. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


57 


The old man has said it to make me miserable — to try and 
get rid of me. He has always hated me and been 
jealous of my influence over you. And yet — he showed me 
a letter in your handwriting, or what looked just like it, in 
which you said that it was true. My God ! is it possible ? 
Can you seriously think of deserting me ? 0 no, I will not 

believe it till you tell me so yourself. You could not part 
with me after all these years. Darling, think of the time 
when you first saw me, at Mrs. Beresford’s, when she 
brought you up into the nursery to see her little baby. I 
was sitting on a footstool before the fire, nursing it. I stood 
up when you and my mistress entered, but, instead of look- 
ing at the baby, you looked at me. I overheard Mrs. Beres- 
ford chalf you about it as you went down-stairs again, 
and you said, ^ Well, you shouldnT have such lovely nurse- 
maids, then.^ I was only twenty, then, dearest, and with 
no more sense than a town-bred girl of sixteen. I dreamed 
of those words of yours, and I dreamed of you, as the 
noblest and handsomest gentleman I had ever seen, as in- 
deed you were. And then you began to call at Mrs. Beres- 
ford's two and three times a week, and to meet me in the 
park, until that happy day came when you asked me if I 
would leave my place, and he your housekeeper in Grosve- 
nor Square. I thought it was a grand rise for me, and 
wrote and told my people so; hut, even then, I didn't guess 
at what you meant, or that you loved me in that way. Il- 
fracombe, you Icno^o I was an innocent, good girl when I 
first came to this house, and that I shouldn't have ever been 
otherwise, had you not persuaded me that, if our hearts 
were truly each other's, our marriage would he as lasting as 
if we had gone to church together. I believed you. I 
knew it was wrong; but I loved you, and I believed you. 0 
my own, only darling, don't desert me now. What is to 
become of me if you do ? I can't go back to my own 
people. I am no longer fit to associate with them. You 
have raised me to the dignity of your companionship. You 
have unfitted me for country life, and how can I go out to 
service again ? Who would take me ? Everybody knows 
our history. 1 have no character. Darling, do you remem- 
ber the time when you had the typhoid fever, and were so ill 
we thought that you would die ? " 0, what a fearful time that 


58 


A BA]S^KRUPT HEART. 


was. And when you recovered, you were going to marry 
me, at least you said so, and I was so happy, and yet so 
afraid of what your family would think. But you had 
quite made up your mind about it, or I believed so, till Mr. 
Sterndale heard you mention the subject, and talked you 
out of it. You never told me, but I guessed it all the 
same. I never reproached you for it, did I, or reminded 
you of your promise ? I knew I was no fit wife for you — 
only fit to love and serve you, as I have done, gladly and 
faithfully. How can you marry another woman, when I 
have been your wife for three long, happy years? Won’t 
the remembrance of me come between you and her ? AY on’t 
you often think of the many, many times you have declared 
you should never think of marrying whilst I lived — that I 
was your wife to all intents and purposes — and that any 
other woman would seem an interloper? 0 Ilfracombe, do 
try and remember all these things before you perpetrate an 
action for which you will reproach yourself all your life. I 
know your nature; who should know it so well as I ? You 
are weak and easily led, but you are sensitive and generous, 
and I know you will not forget me easily. Dearest, write 
to me and tell me it is a lie, and I will serve you all my 
life, as no servant and no wife will ever do. For you are 
far more than a husband to me. You are my world and 
my all — my one friend — my one hope and support. 0 Il- 
fracombe, don’t leave me. I live in you and your love, and 
if you desert me I cannot live. For God’s sake — for the 
sake of heaven — for your honor’s sake, don’t leave me. 

Your broken-hearted Nell. 

So the poor girl wrote, as other poor, forsaken wretches 
have written before her, thinking to move the heart of a 
man who was already tired of her. As soon hope to move 
the heart of a stone as that of a lover hot on a new fancy. 
Her letter reached him, as we have seen, when the step 
she deprecated was taken beyond remedy; but it stirred 
his sense of having committed an injustice, if it could not 
requicken his burnt-out flame. He did not know how to 
answer it. He had nothing to say in defense of himself, or 
his broken promises. So, like many a man in similar cir- 
cumstances, he shirked his duty, and seized the first oppor- 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


59 


tunity that presented itself of putting it on the shoulders 
of some one else. Since Sterndale had failed in his com- 
mission, the newspaper must convey to his cast-off mistress 
the news she refused to believe. So he posted the little 
sheet of paper, printed for the edification of the British 
residents in Malta, to her address, and transcribed it in his 
own hand. She couldn^t make any mistake about that, he 
said to himself, as he returned to the agreeable task of 
making love to his countess meanwhile. But the incident 
did not increase the fiavor of his courtship. There is a 
sense called memory, that has, on occasions, an inconven- 
iently loud voice, and not the slightest scruple in making 
itself heard when least desired. 

The Earl of Ilfracombe had yet to learn if the charms of 
his newly-wedded wife were sufficiently powerful to have 
made it worth his while, in order to possess them, to have 
invoked the demon of memory to dog his footsteps for the 
remainder of his life. But, for the nonce, he put it away 
from him as an unclean thing. Nora, Countess Ilfra- 
combe, reigned triumphant, and Nell Llewellyn, disgraced 
and disinherited, was ordered to move on and find her- 
self another home! Meanwhile, she awaited her lover^s 
answer — in his own house. She refused to ^^move on” 
until she received it. 

It was a very miserable fortnight. She felt, for the first 
time, so debased and degraded, that she would not leave the 
house, but sat indoors all day, without employment and 
without hope; only waiting, in silence and despair, for the 
assurance of the calamity that had been announced to her. 
Her sufferings were augmented at this time by the altered 
demeanor of the servants towards her. She had always 
been an indulgent mistress, and they had liked her, so that 
she did not experience anything like rudeness at their 
hands; on the contrary, it was the increase of their atten- 
tions and familiarity that annoyed and made her more un- 
happy — she read in it, too surely, the signs of the coming 
times — the signs that they knew her reign was over and 
the marriage of their master a certain thing. Nell felt as 
if she had been turned to stone in those days — as if the 
wheels of her life's machinery had been arrested, and all 
she could do was to await the verdict. It came all too 


60 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


soon. One lovely night, about a fortnight after she had 
written to Lord Ilfracombe, a newspaper was put into her 
hand. This was such a very unusual occurrence, that she 
tore off the wrapper hastily and turned the sheets over with 
trembling fingers. She was not long in finding the an- 
nouncement of her death-warrant. 

On the 28th of July, at the British Consulate at Malta, 
the Eight Honorable the Earl of Ilfracombe, to Leonora 
Adelaide Maria, fourth daughter of Admiral Sir Eichard 
Abinger, E.N'.C.B.^’ 

And in another part of the paper was a long description 
of the wedding festivities, the number of invited guests and 
the dresses of the bride and bridesmaids. Miss Llewellyn 
read the account through to the very end, and then tottered 
to her feet to seek her bedroom. 

Lor, Miss, you do look bad ! exclaimed a sympathizing 
housemaid, whom she met on the way — it was a significant 
fact that since the news of his lordship^s intended marriage 
had been made public in the servants" hall, poor Nell had 
been degraded from madam to miss — let me fetch you a 
cup of tea or a drop of brandy and water. Now do, 
there’s a dear! You might have seen a ghost by the look 
of you I ” 

No, thank you, Sarah,” replied Miss Llewellyn, with a 
faint smile. “You are very kind, but I have not met a 
ghost; only the day has been warm, and I long for a breath 
of fresh air. Don’t worry about me! I will go out into 
the square for half an hour, and that will do me good.” 

The servant went on her way, and Nell turned into her 
bedroom. What a luxurious room it was! The furniture 
was upholstered in soft shades of gray and pink, and the 
walls were hung with engravings, all chosen by the 
Earl himself. There was a spring couch by the fireplace, 
before which was spread a thick, white fur rug. The toilet- 
table was strewn with toys of china and glass and silver. 
It was the room of a lady, but it was Nell’s no longer. She 
walked deliberately to the toilet-table, and, opening her 
trinket case, examined its contents, to see if everything she 
had received at her lover’s hands was in its place. Then 


A BAIS^KRUPT HEART. 


. 61 

she quietly took off her dainty little watch, incrusted with 
diamonds, and her bangle bracelets, and two or three hand- 
some rings which he had given her, amongst which was a 
wedding-ring, which she usually wore. She put them all 
carefully in her trinket case, and, scribbling on the outside 
of an old envelope, in pencil, the words, “ Good-by, my only 
love. I cannot live without you,'^ she placed it with the 
jewelry, and, locking the box, threw the key out of the 
window. 

That will prevent the servants opening it,^^ she 
thought; “they will be afraid to force the lock, but he will, 
by and by, and then he will guess the truth. I do not rob 
him much by taking this gown,^’ she said, smiling mourn- 
fully, as she gazed at her simple print frock, “and he 
would not mind if I did! He was always generous to me 
and everybody.’^ Then, overburdened by a sudden rush of 
memory, she sank on her knees by the couch, crying, “ O 
my love, my love I why did you leave me ? It is so very, 
very hard to part with you thus!'^ 

But, when her little outburst was over, Nell dried her 
eyes, and crept softly down-stairs. It was dark by this 
time; the servants were making merry over their supper in 
the hall ; and the crowds, not having yet issued from the 
theatres, the streets were comparatively free. 

Nell walked straight, but steadily, through Piccadilly and 
the Strand, till she came to Waterloo Street. She was 
dressed so quietly, and walking so deliberately, that a 
stranger might have thought she was going to see a friend; 
certainly no one would have dreamt of the fire of passion 
that was raging in her breast. No one looked round at 
her — not an official of the law asked her her business, or 
followed in her track. She even turned to cross Waterloo 
Bridge without exciting any suspicion in the bystanders. 
Why should she not be a peaceful citizen, like the rest of 
them, bent on a common errand? Had it been later at 
night, it might have been different. It was the early hour 
of ten, and the crov/ded pathway, that lulled all suspicion. 
Yet Nell was as distraught as any lunatic who ever con- 
templated suicide. She was walking to her death, and it 
was only a proof of the state of her mind that she went 
without a thought, excepting that the rest of forgetfulness 


62 


A BANKEUPT HEART. 


Was SO near. As she came to the center of the bridge, she 
stopped for a moment, and looked over the coping wall at 
the calm water. 

How deep it is,^’ she thought. What a fool I am to 
deliberate. It will be over in a minute, and it will be so 
sweet never to dream again.’^ 

As she mused in this manner, she gave a sudden leap, 
and was over before the passers-by could catch hold of her 
clothing. They gave the alarm at once, and a policeman, 
who was half-way down on the other side, heard it, and 
came hurrying up. But the waters of old Father Thames, 
who has received so many of his despairing children to his 
bosom, had already closed over the bright hair and beauti- 
ful face of Nell Llewellyn. 


63 


CHAPTER VI. 

All the women who had witnessed the accident hung 
over the parapet of the bridge, screaming at the top of their 
voices, after the manner of their kind, whilst the men ran 
otf for assistance. The police were summoned, boats with 
grappling-irons were put out, and every effort made to 
rescue the unfortunate suicide, but in vain. Nothing was 
seen or heard of the body. No craft had been immediately 
under the bridge at the moment. Two or three empty 
barges were moored in its vicinity, but their black beams 
could tell no tales. The search was not given up until it 
was pronounced unavailing, and the police went back to 
report the circumstances at headquarters. Next morning 
there appeared a paragraph in the dailies with the headline, 

MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE EROM WATERLOO BRIDGE.^" 

^^Last evening, as the large audiences were turning out 
of the transpontine theatres and wending their way home- 
wards, a thrilling accident, or what might have been so, 
occurred on Waterloo Bridge. A tall, lady-like, well- 
dressed young woman was walking quietly amongst the 
passengers, apparently as soberly disposed as any amongst 
them, when, without sound or warning, she suddenly 
vaulted over the parapet and dashed into the river. The 
act was so unpremeditated, and took the bystanders so com- 
pletely by surprise, that there was no opportunity of pre- 
venting the terrible catastrophe. The peaceful crowd was 
immediately transformed into an agitated mass, all striv- 
ing to give the alarm or aid in rescuing the unfortunate 
woman. The police behaved magnificently on the occasion. 
In less time than we could write the words, boats were put 
out and every possible assistance given. But no trace of 
the body could be found, though the grappling-irons were 
used in every direction. It is supposed that she must have 
fractured her skull against one of the empty barges 


64 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


moored in proximity to the bridge, and sunk beyond recall. 
The occurrence created a painful sensation among the by- 
standers. Women were fainting, and men rushing about in 
all directions. Some people, who had followed the unfor- 
tunate woman across the bridge from the Strand, describe 
her to have had a very tall and very elegant figure, and say 
that she was dressed in a black mantle, and wore a broad, 
black hat with a drooping feather. Everybody seems agreed 
that she did not belong to the lower classes, and it is to be 
feared, from the determination with which she sprung over 
the parapet, that her loss can be ascribed to nothing but 
deliberate suicide. The police are on the lookout for the 
body, which will probably turn ui^ further down the river, 
when some light may be thrown on the identity of the un- 
fortunate lady. The strangers who walked in her wake 
across the bridge observed that she possessed an abundant 
quantity of bright, chestnut hair, coiled low upon her neck, 
and that her hands, which were bare, were long and white. 
This makes the fifteenth suicide that has taken place from 
Waterloo Bridge in twelve months.^^ 

Mr. Sterndale, the solicitor, sitting alone in his office, 
read this paragraph, and was very much struck by it, espe- 
cially as Warrender, Lord Ilfracombe’s butler, had been to 
see him, not half an hour ago, with the intelligence that 
Miss Llewellyn had left the house the night before and 
not been home since. Mr. Sterndale, with his cynical ideas 
concerning women, had not paid much attention nor 
attached much importance to the man’s statement. He 
thought the quondam housekeeper of Grosvenor Square had 
found another place, or another lover, and no longer held 
herself responsible to the Earl or anybody else for what she 
might choose to do. He had told Warrender that he did 
not think there was any reason for alarm; that Miss Llew- 
ellyn was quite old enough to take care of herself, and that 
she had probably gone to visit friends and spent the night 
with them. She would be sure to return for her boxes. 
The butler had not seemed satisfied. 

But, begging your pardon, sir, the maid who saw her 
last, Susie, says she was looking very ill, poor lady! She 
said she was going into the square for a breath of fresh air. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


G5 


and it was past nine o^clock then. Susan and I waited up 
for Miss Llewellyn till twelve, and then I only 'lay down on 
the bench in the hall till four this morning. But she never 
came hack; and, begging your pardon, sir, it’s what Miss 
Llewellyn haven’t never done, not since she’s been under 
his lordship’s protection.” 

Ah, well, Warrender, she’s got her orders to quit, you 
know, and I daresay she considers she can do as she likes, 
as, indeed, there’s no reason she should not. She’s a very 
obstinate young woman, or she would have left the house 
before now, and she’s putting me to a great deal of incon- 
venience. Indeed, if she does not leave soon, she will 
compel me to exercise the authority vested in me by Lord 
Ilfracombe, and order her to pack up her boxes and go! ” 

The old servant looked troubled. 

“01 hope not, sir, I hope not. Perhaps it’s not my 
place to say anything, but Miss Llewellyn has been a kind 
mistress to us all, and so much at home — there, there, I 
don’t understand these things, of course, and what’s for 
his lordship’s good is for the good of all of us; but there’s 
not a servant in the hall but will be sorry that poor Miss 
Llewellyn is to be the sufferer. She had a kind heart, poor 
thing, if any lady had.” 

“No doubt, Warrender, no doubt. No one denies that 
she has good qualities; hut they have been exercised 
greatly to the detriment of the Earl. Young men will be 
young men; but there comes a time when such things must 
be put a stop to, and the time has come to stop this. You 
will have a legal mistress now — a lady of high birth, who 
will rule the house as it should be ruled. And the sooner 
you all forget that such a person as Miss Llewellyn existed, 
the better.” 

“ Perhaps so, sir. But, meanwhile, what are we to do 
about this ? ” 

“ Do nothing at all. She will come back safe enough, 
you may depend upon that. And I will write to her to- 
morrow, and tell her she must fix a day for leaving the 
house. I want to put the workmen in as soon as possible.” 

“ Very good, sir,” said the butler, humbly, as he retired. 

But the next thing Mr. Sterndale did was to read the 
account in his Standard of Nell’s attempt at suicide, and 


6G 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


the coincidence naturally struck him. It did not flurry 
him in the least. It only made the thought flash through 
his mind, what a fortunate thing it would be if it were 
true. He threw up his engagements for the day, and took 
his way at once to the river police station, to make all pos- 
sible inquiries about the suicide. He did not hear much 
more than he had read, but the description of the woman^’s 
figure and dress, together with the time the accident oc- 
curred, all tallied so wonderfully with the fact of Nell's 
disappearance, that the solicitor considered that he had 
every reason to hope it might have been herself, who had 
thus most opportunely left the course clear for the happi- 
ness of Lord Ilfracombe and his bride. He seconded the 
efforts of the police to discover the truth, offering a hand- 
some reward for the recovery of the body for identification. 
And when a week passed without its being found, or Miss 
Llewellyn returning to Grosvenor Square, he consid- 
ered it his duty to institute a search amongst the property 
she had left behind, to see if he could find any clue to the 
mystery. He told the servants that he did so in order to 
try and find an address to send them after her to; but they 
all knew by this time that something had happened to 
their late mistress, and that it was unlikely they should ever 
see her again. And, to do them justice, there was very 
sincere sorrow in the servants^ hall at the idea. Mr. Stern- 
dale would not allow anybody to assist him in his search. 
He ransacked poor Nelks chests of drawers and wardrobe 
by himself — turned over her dainty dresses, and laced and 
embraidered stock of linen; opened all her workbags and 
boxes, her desk and blotting books, but found not a line to 
intimate she had entertained any idea of taking her own 
life. 

Pooh,^^ said Mr. Sterndale to himself, as he wiped the 
dew off his pale face, I’ve been alarming myself for noth- 
ing. It’s another lover the jade will be looking after, and 
not a watery grave. People in their right mind don’t commit 
suicide, and she was as sane as I am. She has most proba- 
bly sought shelter with Mr. Jack Portland, or some other 
of the Earl’s swell friends. I know she was universally ad- 
mired, 9 ,nd there will be a rush to the bidding, as soon as 
it becomes known that she’s put up for sale. However, 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


67 


these pretty tilings had better be put under lock and key 
till his lordship sends word how they are to be disposed 

,\yith that he came to the trinket case, which Nell had 
locked, and the key of which she had thrown out of the 
window. 

"" Halloa ! he thought, AYhat is this ? Another work- 
box ? No, I fancy it is the sort of article women keep their 
rings in. He gave her some beauties ; but I don’t suppose 
she has been such a fool as to leave them behind her.” 

He tried every key on a bunch he had found on the dress- 
ing-table, but none would fit. So, after a few attempts 
with another bunch from his own pocket, he took out his 
penknife, and pried the lock open. The first thing he 
saw, laid on the top of the rings, brooches, and bracelets, 
was Nell’s pathetic message to her lover, Good-by, my 
only love. I cannot live without you.” Mr. Sterndale read 
it, and shivered like an aspen leaf. Had Nell’s ghost stood 
by his side, he could not have been more alarmed and nerv- 
ous. Good-by, my only love. I cannot live without 
you,” he muttered to himself, while he trembled anew, and 
glanced fearfully over his shoulder. 

“So that must really have been her, and she has 
destroyed herself!” he thought. “I never really believed 
it would come to that, never! But it is Lord Ilfracombe’s 
concern, not mine. It was he that drove her to it. I only 
acted on his orders, and I am bound to obey him if he tells 
me to do a thing. But who would have thought it was in 
her! She must have felt his marriage very much. I didn’t 
believe it was in woman to care for any man to such an 
extent. But, perhaps, after all, it was only the loss of her 
position, illegal as it was, that turned her a bit crazy. It 
can’t be pleasant, after having enjoyed such a home as this, 
to go back to work. Yet she wouldn’t take the money he 
offered her ; a noble compensation ! She didn’t seem to 
think even that enough. Well, well ! it is incomprehensible. 
All the female sex are! To think that she should have 
preferred death — death ! But what am I saying ? It may 
not have been Miss Llewellyn, after all ! We have no proof! 
Doubtless it was some ^unfortunate who had come to the 
end of her tether. But it would never do to tell Lord Ilfra- 


68 


A BAN^KKUPT HEART. 


combe my suspicions — not yet, at all events, while he is on 
his wedding tour. Time enough when he has sobered down 
into a steady, married man; then, perhaps, the news will 
come rather as a relief from all fear of meeting the objeqjk 
of his youthful indiscretion again. Yet, under the water — 
that beautiful face and figure! It seems too terrible! I 
must not think of it. There is no reason it should trouble 
me in the very slightest degree.” • 

Mr. Sterndale rung the bell at this juncture, and ordered 
the lady’s maid who had waited upon Miss Llewellyn to 
have all her belongings properly packed and locked away, 
until his lordship’s pleasure concerning them should be 
known. But the trinket box he put his own seal on and 
carried off to place in his safe with other property belong- 
ing to his client. 

Yet Mr. Sterndale, try as he would, could not lock 
away with it all remembrance of the woman whom he 
firmly believed to be lying, stark and dead, beneath the 
water. His last interview with her kept on returning to 
his memory, and made him wretched. Her proud, hashing 
glances, her complete incredulity — and then, her bowed head 
and subdued voice, her attitude of utter despair, her silence, 
and her final accusation that her lover’s determination had 
been brought about through his influence. It had, in a great 
measure, been so; he knew it, and had confessed as much 
to her. And so she had thought fit to end the matter. 
Very foolish, very rash, and decidedly unpleasant to think 
of. So he would put the remembrance away from him, at 
once and forever. He informed the servants that Miss 
Llewellyn had returned home to her own people, and that 
her things were to remain there until they received further 
orders. But none of them believed his story. 

Meantime, Nell’s complete disappearance, though ap- 
parently so mysterious, was, in reality, no mystery at all. 
Few things are when once unraveled. Her precipitate fall 
into the water had brought her head-downwards against 
the black side of an empty barge. The blow stunned her, 
and she was immediately sucked under and borne by the 
running current some way lower down, where her body 
rose under the bows of a rowing boat, whose owners were just 
preparing to shelve her on the mud bank which fringes 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


69 


either side of the Thames. They were watermen of the 
lowest class, but honest and kindly hearted. 

^ Ullo, Jim! cried one of them, as NelFs body rose along- 
side, ‘^what’s that? By Gawd! if it isnT a woman's 
'and! Here, give us an 'and and lift 'er over! Quick now, 
will yer?" 

It's a corpus! " said Jim, shrinking back as most people 
do from contact with the dead. Let it be, Garge! Don't 
bring it over here ! It's no concern of ourn, and the perlice 
will find it soon enough! Row on, man, do, and leave it 
be'ind ! The look of it's quite enough for me ! " 

‘^You're a nice 'un!" retorted Garge, as he leant 
over the boat's side and seized hold of Nell Llewellyn. 
^MVhat d'ye mean? Would yer leave a poor gal to drown, 
when maybe she ain't 'alf dead ? Here ! lend an 'and, will 
yer, or I'll knock yer bloomin' brains out with my oar ! " 

Thus admonished, Jim joined his forces to those of 
his comrade, and, by their united efforts, they hauled the 
body into the boat. As soon as Garge saw her lovely face, 
which looked almost unearthly in its beauty, he became 
eager to take her home to his mother, to be succored and 
taken care of. 

“Now, Garge, mark what I'm saying of," argued Jim. 
“You 'ad better, by 'alf, take 'er to the station at once. 
'Tain't no business of yourn, and you'll maybe get into 
trouble by taking it on yerself ! She committed suicide, 
there's where it is, and you should leave 'er to the perlice. 
I thought I 'card a lot o' shouting from the bridge jest now, 
and it was after this 'ere, you may take yer oath of it! A 
bad lot all round, and will bring you into trouble. Now 
be wise, and jest drop 'er into the water agin. She's as 
dead as a door nail ! " 

“ That's yer opinion, is it ? " said Garge, contemptuously, 
“and 'ow long 'ave you set up as a doctor, eh? Now, jest 
do as I tell yer, or I'll know the reason why. Lift 'er up 
by the petticoats, and I'll take 'er 'ead and shoulders. 
That's it; and now for mother's." 

“ Mother's " was the cellar fioor of one of those tenements 
which abound on the river's side, and afford shelter for the 
“ water-rats " who make their living on its bosom and its 
shores. The two young men had not far to carry their 


70 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


burden; but Nell was heavy, and they stumbled over the 
threshold of the house and down the cellar steps, and were 
glad enough to lay her dripping body on the floor. 

“ Hello ! lads, what ^ave yer got there ? exclaimed an old 
woman, who came out of the Cimmerian darkness, carry- 
ing a tallow candle stuck in the neck of an old beer bottle. 
“Mercy me! not a corpus, surely? Why, what on airth 
made you bring it ^ere? A gal, too, and a purty one. 
Garge, tell me the right of it all, or Ifll ^ave none of ^er 
'ere.'^ 

“ Theer ain’t no rights, nor wrongs neither, mother,” re- 
plied Garge, “ only this body floated under our bows, and I 
don’t believe the pore gal is dead; and no one knows better 
’ow to rewive a corpus than you do, so we carried ’er ’ome 
to you at oust. She’s a lady, and maybe a rich ’un, and 
you may git a good reward for rewiving ’er, from ’er 
friends. So wheer’s the blankets, and the ’ot water? 
Yer’ve got some bilin’ to make our tea, I know, and I’ll go 
and call Mrs. Benson to ’elp yer with ’er.” 

“ That’s it, my lad,” replied the mother, who, though 
most people would have designated her as a fllthy hag, was 
a kind-hearted old bod}^ “And Jim and you must make 
yerself scarce fer to-night, fer I can’t do nothin’ till yer 
two are gone. Take Garge ’ome with yer, Jim, and if this 
gal’s too fur gone to do anything with, yer must give no- 
tice fust thing in the morning to the perlice, fer I can’t 
keep a dead body ’ere longer than the morning.” 

“I don’t believe as she is dead,” said Garge, who had 
been bending over Nell’s body, and listening with his ear 
upon her chest. “Yer can’t deceive me much, yer know, 
mother, fer I’ve seen too many on ’em. ’Owever, I’ll fatch 
Mrs. Benson at once, and I’ll look in larst thing, to ’ear 
your news.” 

The old woman had lighted a Are by this time, and 
dragged the body in front of it; and, as soon as her neigh- 
bor joined her, they commenced rubbing and thumping, 
and chaflng the limbs of the apparently drowned girl; and 
though their remedies were rough, they were successful; 
for, after some fifteen or twenty minutes of this treatment, 
Nell sighed deeply, gasped for breath, and finally opened 
her eyes, and looked at her good Samaritans. She at- 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


71 


tempted to rise, but they held her down with their strong 
hands, and continued their original massage treatment 
with redoubled energy. At last, their patient ejaculated, 
^AVhere am which is invariably the first question 

asked by a woman recovering from a fit of unconsciousness. 

“ Wheer are ye, honey ? repeated Gargets mother. Why, 
afore the fire, of course, and on the floor, which is rather a 
hard bed, I "spect, fer one like yer; but we’d no better 
place to lay yer on.” 

But how did I come here ? ” said Nell; and then, as re- 
membrance poured back upon her, she moaned: “Ah! the 
water, I remember, the water,” and closed her eyes again. 
But, as her strength returned more fully, she started to a 
sitting posture, and cried fiercely: 

“AVho brought me here? Who told you to do this? 
What right have you to interfere with me ? I thought it 
would have been all over by this time, and now, it has all 
to come over again — all over again.” 

“ 0 no, it won’t, honey,” replied her companion. “ You 
won’t go to do anything so foolish agin. Why, you’ve as 
near lost yer life as possible. It were jest touch and go 
with yer, wern’t it, Mrs. Benson ? ” 

“ That it were, indeed,” said that worthy. 

“And you’re too fine a gal to throw yerself away in sich 
a fashion; yer should leave that sorter thing to the poor 
gutter drabs. My Garge ’e found yer, and brought yer 
’ome, and I’ve no doubt you’ve fine friends as will be real 
glad to git yer back agin.” 

“No, I haven’t. I have no friends,” said Nell. 

“AVhat! no father, nor mother!” exclaimed her hostess, 
“ Pore gal. But I daresay you’ve got a young man ; or, if 
yer ’aven’t, yer’ll git one. You’re much too fine a gal to 
go begging. And whatever made yer think of making an 
’ole in the water puzzles me. Now, yer jest wrap this 
blanket right round yer, and drink this posset. ’Taint to 
yer taste, p’raps, but ’tis the best thing out to warm your 
blood arter a soaking.” 

She held a filthy mug, filled with a filthy, but steaming, 
decoction of treacle and beer to Nell’s lips as she spoke, 
and the girl opened her mouth mechanically and took it all 
in. Then, sickened of life and everything in it, including 


72 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


the treacle posset, she rolled herself in the blanket, and, with 
her face towards the fire, sunk into a sleep of exhaustion 
and despair. Garge, true to his trust, sneaked round at 
about midnight to ask what news there was of his patient, 
and was delighted, in his rough way, to hear that she had 
recovered. 

^^She is a beauty! he exclaimed, as he gazed at her pale 
face, on which the light of the burning logs was playing — 

a rale rare ^un, that's wot I thinks. Don't yer let that fire 
out afore the morning, mother, for she'll feel cold when she 
wakes, though it is so 'ot. And now, wasn't I wise to bring 'er 
'ome, 'stead of the perlice station ? I bet yer I'll make a 
pot of money over this, mother, 'stead of the coppers takin' 
it. Well, good-night, and don't yer let 'er go till I've seen 
'er agin in the morning." 

But long before Garge's mother had roused herself again, 
her visitor had gone. The old woman was tired with the 
exertions she had made on her behalf, and had taken just 
the smallest drop of gin to quiet her own perturbed feel- 
ings before she turned into bed. But soon Nell had started up 
from her short, feverish slumber and lain before the fire 
with wide-open eyes, staring at the flickering flames, and 
wondering what the next move of her unhappy life would 
be. The old woman's words rang in her ears : “ What ! no 
father, nor mother ? Pore gal ! " How ungrateful it had 
been of her not to remember that she had both father and 
mother, before she took the fatal plunge which might have 
separated her from them forever! Already she felt ashamed 
of her impetuosity and despair. She resolved, as she lay 
there, that she would go back to her parents and her home. 
She would return to Panty-cuckoo Farm and try to forget 
that she had ever left it. It would be sweet, she thought, 
feverishly, to smell the woodbine and the roses again — it 
would cool her brain to lie down on the dewy grass and 
press her hot cheek to the wild thyme and the daisies that 
bedecked it. 

Her mind was still in a bewildered and chaotic state, 
or Nell would have dreaded the questions that awaited 
her at Panty-cuckoo Farm; but, luckily, it led her in the 
right direction. A sudden horror of the publicity she had 
courted by her rash act took possession of her, and she 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


73 


panted to get up and away before the good Samaritans who 
had brought her back to life were able to gain any particu- 
lars regarding her name or former condition. With this 
desire strong upon her, Nell raised herself, weak as she 
was, and glanced at her surroundings. The logs still burnt 
brightly on the hearth — the old woman snored mellifluously 
on a pallet in the corner — for the rest, she was alone. The 
clothes they had taken off her were hung out to dry on a 
chair. Nell felt them. They were fit to put on again. 
She raised herself gently and resumed her attire, which 
consisted of a dark print dress, a black mantle, and a large 
straw hat, which had not become detached from her head 
when she went under the water. But she could not go 
without leaving some token of her gratitude behind her. 
She felt in the pocket of her dress. Her purse was still 
there, and it contained several pounds. Nell took out two, 
and, wrapping them in a piece of paper, placed them in a 
conspicuous position on the chair. Then she crept softly 
across the cellar, and, climbing the stone steps that led to 
the entrance of the tenement, found, to her relief, that the 
outer door was ajar. There were too many people in the 
house, and they were of too lawless a kind, for any one to 
notice her departure, or think it singular if they had. The 
dawn was just breaking as Nell stepped into the open air; 
and, though she knew she must look very forlorn, the few 
wayfarers whom she encountered looked more forlorn still, 
and no one molested or questioned her. She found she 
had sufficient money to take her straight away to Usk, had 
she so desired; but she dared not present herself before her 
people in her present draggled state. So she went into a 
little lodging in the Waterloo road, where she was confident 
that no one would recognize her; and, after staying two 
nights there, she had so far remedied the state of her ward- 
robe as to feel able to go back to Wales without exciting too 
much inquiry. But, still, Nell was far from being in her 
normal condition, and moved and spoke like a woman in a 
dream. 


i 

i4i 


CHAPTEE VIL 

When visitors went for the first time to Usk, and their 
hostesses wished to imbue them with a sense of the beauties 
of the place, they generally said: “ 0 let us drive to Pan- 
ty-cuckoo Farm. You must not leave Usk without seeing 
Panty-cuckoo Farm. The sweetest, most picturesque old 
place you ever set eyes on; quite a leaf out of the past ages. 
Sir Archibald Bowmant says it dates from the fourteenth 
century. And Mrs. Llewellyn is such a quaint old woman. 
You donT meet with such people in her class nowadays. 
We always have our eggs, and butter, and pork from her; 
and she will give us a lovely cup of tea, with the best of 
cream. You must come.” 

And the visitors usually agreed that their hostess^ de- 
scription of the farm and its inhabitants had not been ex- 
aggerated, and came back delighted with what they had 
seen. They drove for some way out of the town of Usk, 
along an undulating road, almost overshadowed by the 
meeting branches of lofty elm and oak trees, and fringed 
by hedges, fragrant at this time of year with meadow-sweet, 
and climbing travelers’ joy, and wild roses. A sudden 
curve in the road brought them to a wide, white gate, 
which led by a most precipitous pathway to the farm-house. 
On either side this pathway were placed large whitewashed 
blocks of stone, to enable the wheels of cart or carriage to 
keep from rolling into the little trench by which it was 
bordered. On one side the trench, or ditch, was a large 
orchard, stretching away beyond where the eye could reach, 
and well stocked with apple, and pear, and cherry trees. 
Beneath their shade were numerous coops of hens, with 
their broods of little white chickens scattered round them 
like fallen blossoms of May; and, flying like the wind at 
their mother’s call, the black porkers, for which Farmer 
Llewellyn was famous, came grunting behind each other, 
eating the windfalls, and turning the refuse over with their 
ringed snouts. Opposite to the orchard was a plot of grass 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


'5 


which ran along the side of the house, and was decorated 
by garden beds, filled with carnations, lilies, mignonette, 
geraniums, and such common, sweet-smelling flowers. This 
part of the house had been built subsequently to the origi- 
nal portion, and had a side entrance of its own, beneath a 
little porch covered with honeysuckle and clematis. It con- 
sisted of only two rooms; and, as the farmer’s family had 
never consisted of more than his two daughters, Mrs. Llew- 
ellyn had been in the habit of letting these rooms to casual 
visitors to Usk, who required a lodging for a few nights. 
Especially had they been at the service of Sir Archibald 
Bowmant during the shooting season, as he often had more 
bachelors staying at Usk Hall than he could accommodate, 
and knew he could trust their comfort, with safety, to his 
old tenant, Mrs. Llewellyn. Sir Archibald’s woods skirted 
the road opposite Panty-cuckoo Farm, so that his guests 
had only to cross the park to gain their nightly lodgings; 
and so much trust had Mrs. Llewellyn in her landlord’s 
visitors, that, when her rooms were occupied, she let the 
young gentlemen come and go as they liked, without hold- 
ing any inquisitorial espionage over their proceedings. But 
this wing of the house had nothing to do with the farm it- 
self. Visitors to the Llewellyns drove straight down the 
precipitous drive, till they turned round at the foot to face 
the front of the farm-house, which consisted of a low, ram- 
bling building, of dark-red brick, with a thatched roof. Be- 
fore it was a prim, old-fashioned strip of ground, guarded by 
a row of eight box trees, cut in the shape of peacocks. On 
the walls of the house were a magnificent magnolia, and 
some plants of the crimson pyrus japonica, which gave it 
a wonderfully warm appearance. As soon as carriage 
wheels were heard, Mrs. Llewellyn usually opened the door, 
and came down the bricked path to welcome her visitors. 
She would never hear of their leaving before they had par- 
taken of her tea and cream. The parlor was entered im- 
mediately from the front door, and was wainscoted half- 
way to the ceiling with rich, dark oak, of which the ceiling 
itself was formed, divided into squares, with a plain but 
different device carved in each. The windows of this room 
were lattice-paned, and contained window seats in the 
shape of oak settles, which opened like boxes, to store the 


76 


A BAI^KRUPT HEART. 


house linen. The fireplace was a mass of carving, without 
any mantel-piece, but a wide range below for logs, and iron 
dogs on either side to support them. Mrs. Llewellyn much 
prided herself on this parlor. She knew the value and 
beauty of it as much as anybody, though she sometimes 
grumbled at its inconveniences, and said she would ex- 
change it, any day, for a modern-built house. It opened 
into a wide, bricked passage, or ante-room, where the 
farmer hung his coats, and a table stood piled with the 
prayer books of the family, ready to be distributed when 
church-time came round again. 

Nell’s still lay amongst them. Her mother often sighed 
when she accidentally touched it — sometimes she had been 
seen to raise it furtively to her lips before she laid it down 
again. It was outside this ante-chamber that the two rooms 
had been added that were occasionally let as lodgings, and 
the door which originally had opened from it to the garden 
now led to them. Visitors passed through it to the dairy, 
where the shelves were piled with the year’s cheeses, and 
marble slabs held the mounds of fresh butter, waiting to 
be made into rolls or pats by the rosy-cheeked dairymaid, 
and the pans were standing covered with thick, rich yellow 
cream, such as Mrs. Llewellyn was famed for all the coun- 
try side. This dairy led across a covered-in yard to the 
baking-house, and in the center of the yard stood a well, 
centuries old, with an Elizabethan cross surmounting its 
quaint arched roof. In fact, there was no end to the curi- 
osities in Panty-cuckoo Farm; and ladies with purses full of 
money had tried over and over again to induce the farmer and , 
his wife to part with some of their bits of blue china and 
yellow lace, and old wood carving, that they might carry 
them back to adorn their drawing-rooms in Kensington or 
Westminster. But the Llewellyns were steadfast in their 
courteous refusals. No amount of coin would have made 
them sell the little relics that adorned their rooms and had 
come down to them from unknown ancestors. They 
would as soon have sold their own flesh and blood. There 
was something about these people above the general run of 
farmers and their wives. Countrified they necessarily were, 
but not vulgar nor common; and, even in the lowly position 
they occupied, they managed to infuse so much dignity. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


77 

that even their superiors recognized it and met it with 
respect. It was rather an important occasion with Mrs. 
Llewellyn when we were first introduced to her, for her 
daughter Hetty was coming, with her husband and several 
of her new relations, to take tea at Panty-cuckoo Farm for 
the first time since her return from London, and her 
mother was eager to do her honor. Mrs. Llewellyn had 
evidently been a very handsome woman in her youth; and 
as she moved about her rooms, clad in her gala dress of 
gray merino, with a white muslin handkerchief pinned 
across her bosom, and a large cap covering her iron-gray 
hair, it was evident from whom poor Nell had inherited 
the beauty that had proven such a misfortune to her. Tall 
and upright, with a fresh color in her face, and her hazel 
eyes beaming with expectation and pride in her table, Mrs. 
Llewellyn looked quite a picture as she moved about her 
room and arranged the feast for her expected guests. The 
brown bread and fresh butter, the cream and new-laid eggs, 
the honeycomb and home-made preserves, the cut ham and 
watercresses, made up a picture of beauty that any house- 
wife might have been proud of; and Farmer Llewellyn 
chuckled with satisfaction as he sat in one of the window 
settles and watched the tempting display. 

^^ThaFs right, wife!^’ he exclaimed, “stuff them well. 
Youdl get more friends through their stomachs than you’ll 
ever do through their hearts.” 

“0 Griffith! ” she replied, “that’s a poor way of looking 
at it; not but what a good meal’s a good thing, after all; 
but I shouldn’t like the Owens to go home and say they 
hadn’t had enough to eat! And it’s our Hetty’s first visit, 
too,” and here Mrs. Llewellyn heaved a deep sigh. 

“What’s up now?” said her husband. “You can’t 
expect to keep your girls with you forever, you know, 
Mary, and William Owen is as good a lad as ever stepped 
in shoe leather, and will keep our Hetty well. We might 
have gone further and fared worse for a husband for her, 
Mary!” 

“ 0 yes, I know that, father, and I’m quite satisfied. I 
like Will myself. He’s like a son to me. No, I wasn’t 
thinking of Hetty at all, but of our Nell! I’ve been think- 
ing of her a deal lately. I don’t seem as if I could get her 


78 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


out of my mind. It seems so hard that Hetty should see 
her and not I. Five years is a long time not to set eyes 
on one's own child! Sometimes the longing for a sight of 
her is so bad, I feel as if I must go up to London, if I walk 
every step of the way." 

0 that's the way the crow flies!" chuckled the farmer. 

You're jealous of your daughter, are you? You'll be 
worrying me to take you on a second honeymoon tour next. 
You want to see London town now." 

‘^0 Griff, how I wish I could! — not for the sake of the 
sights, you know. The only sight I want is that of my 
girl. If I had ever thought that servants were such slaves 
up there. I'd have cut her legs off before she should have 
left Usk. My pretty Nell! If she goes and marries away 
from me, where, perhaps, I may never have a glimpse of 
her or her little ones, it would drive me crazy." 

Come now, mistress! " exclaimed the farmer, in his old- 
fashioned way, ^‘^you must just put off your fit of the 
mopes for a bit, for here are all your guests coming down 
the dell in their wedding bravery. Here's Hetty, blooming 
like a rose, and trying to look as if nobody had ever been 
married in the world before her. How are you, my little 
bride, and how are you, William, my lad? Mind the step, 
Mrs. Owen, ma'am, for it's broken at the edge. (You mind 
me to have that set right, Mary!) Well, farmer, you look 
famous, and so does Hugh here! I went to hear you spout- 
ing last Sunday night, lad, and you have the gift of the gab, 
and no mistake! You made my wife, here, cry. You hit 
so neatly on her favorite sins!" 

0 no, Hugh, you won't believe that, I hope," cried Mrs. 
Llewellyn, blushing like one of her own daughters; 

father's only chaffing you. It was looking at you and 
thinking of my Nell that made me cry. The sight of you 
brings back the time so plain, when you and she used to 
play and quarrel all day long. You were main sweet on 
her then, and used to call her your little wife. Aye! but 
how glad I should be if she had stayed at home like my 
Hetty, and married in Usk. My heart is very sore, some- 
times, when I think of her so far away, and I not near her, 
in sickness or trouble. Sometimes I fancy I'll never set 
eyes on her again." 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


79 


^^0 mother, you mustn’t say that,” interposed Hetty, 
‘^for Nell promised Will and me, that as soon as ever she 
got a holiday, she should come back to see us all at Usk. 
But Lord Ilfracombe has gone abroad, and left her in 
charge of everything; so she can’t possibly leave the house 
just yet.” 

‘‘In charge of everything! Doesn’t that seem strange?” 
said the mother, with a proud smile. “ My careless Nell. 
Lord Ilfracombe must think a deal of her to trust her like 
that.” 

0 he does think a deal of her, mother. Any one could 
see that. He must give her heaps and heaps of money. 
You should have seen how she was dressed. 0 lovely! And 
her hair was done just like a lady’s; and when we had tea 
with her, the footman waited on us as if we had been the 
owners of the house, and he brought the tea up on a beauti- 
ful silver tray, and we sat in the best room, and it was like 
fairyland. AV asn’t it. Will ? ” 

“ I hope Nell did not do anything she ought not,” re- 
marked the prudent mother. “ I hope she won’t get into 
a scrape for this.” 

“Just what I said,” laughed Hetty; “but Nell said Lord 
Ilfracombe is so good-natured, that if he came back, sud- 
den-like, he’d only smile, and say: ‘That’s right; go on 
and enjoy yourselves.’ And a little gentleman, who came 
and spoke to us when we were at the play, and sent us, 0 
the most beautiful ices, talked as if Lord Ilfracombe 
thought all the world of our Nell. Didn’t he. Will?” 

“Aye! that’s so,” acquiesced AVill. 

The farmer and his wife, all unconscious of wrong, rather 
bridled at this information; but Hugh Owen looked grave, 
and his dark eyes seemed to question eagerly for more. 
This last was rather a remarkable young man, both out- 
wardly and inwardly. From a child he had been a student, 
and now might almost have been termed a scholar, though 
a self-taught one. His face was so earnest and introspec- 
tive in its expression, that it made one forget that his feat- 
ures were not strictly handsome. His sallow complexion, 
dark gray eyes, large nose, and thin-lipped mouth, were far 
less attractive than his younger brother’s fair skin, and 
Saxon characteristics; but no one looked twice at AVilliam 


80 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


Owen, while few could forget Hugh. His tall, gaunt 
frame, nervous hands, and stmight hair, all told the same 
tale; of a man who had used his intellect more than his 
muscle, and cared for his brains before his body. From a 
child Hugh Owen had felt the power within him, and had 
delighted to mount a rostrum of his own erection, and hold 
forth to his playmates on any subject which occupied his 
mind at the moment. As he grew into a lad, he scorned 
farm work, and only wanted to be left alone with his book 
and studies, until his father, not knowing what to make of 
him, and fearing he was daft,^'’ consulted the minister 
about him. This minister was a Wesleyan; an earnest, de- 
vout man, though rather unlearned; who saw in young 
Owen^s proclivities only a call to the ministry, and per- 
suaded his proud parents to send him to school at New- 
port, whence, after several years of study, he returned to 
Usk, and was elected to take part in the services of the dis- 
senting chapel. But, added to his ministerial duties, Hugh 
Owen had taken to preaching at the corners of the by- 
roads and on the common, or wherever he could collect an 
audience or obtain a hearing. Some people said he was 
mad; others, that he was a saint. His parents and friends 
thought the latter; but he was only a young enthusiast, 
whose whole heart, and soul-mind were filled with one idea, 
with which he panted to imbue the. whole world. As Hetty 
chattered about Nell, and what she had done and said in 
London, Hugh’s eyes became strained and anxious, and his 
attention was wholly enchained. 

never heard before,” he said, presently, ^^of maid 
servants drinking their tea ofi silver trays and sitting in the 
best rooms.” 

That’s only because you don’t know anything of Lon- 
don life,” cried Hetty, tossing her little head. Nell says 
it’s quite different from country, and any one can see so for 
themselves. Why, the gentleman who met us at the play 
(I forget his name) spoke to our Nell just as if she was a 
lady, and took off his hat when we drove away in the cab, 
as if we were duchesses. 0 it was lovely ! I wish we lived 
in London always.” 

‘^You’ve had quite enough of town life for awhile, my 
lass,” observed her father — you’re head would he turned 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


81 


with much more. You'll be expecting mother to give you 
your tea on a silver tray next ! " 

“ 0 never mind the tray/' exclaimed Mrs. Llewellyn, im- 
patiently; ‘^if it had been of gold it couldn't haVe been 
too good for our Nell! But tell me how she looked, Hetty! 
Is she quite well and bonny ? Does she seem happy in this 
grand place? Does she have plenty to eat, or did you see 
any signs of fretting after tne old home in my girl ? for, if 
so. I'll have her back — aye, if she was housekeeper to twenty 
lords or the Prince of Wales himself, God bless him!" 

‘‘0 no, mother, don't you worry! Nell is as happy as 
happy can be, Fm sure of that. Of course she'd like to 
come home for a bit. I could see the tears in her eyes when 

she spoke of you and father " 

God bless my lass! " cried her mother, interrupting her; 

when you say that, I feel as if I couldn't rest another 
night without she came home. What a pretty thing she 
was at sixteen — you remember her, Hugh, with her light 
hair streaming down her back and her eyes dancing with 
fun and mischief! The prettiest lass in all Usk or for 
miles around — everybody said so! Didn't they, Hugh?" 

‘‘Yes, Mrs. Llewellyn, you are right! They did so," re- 
plied Hugh. 

“ A bit wild and willful-like, but no harm in her," con- 
tinued the mother, “ and might have married well if she 
had stayed here. Well, I miss her sorely and always have 
done so, and I shall all the more, now that Hetty's gone and 
got married. I've never seen the girl that was a patch on 
my Nell!" 

“ Now, mother, suppose you stop your bemoanings and 
pass round the griddle cakes," interposed the farmer. “ I 
don't call it much of a compliment to AYilliam and Hetty 
here for you to amuse us with praises of our Nell. You 
heard what Het says: that she means to come to Usk the 
first holiday she gets, and what do you want more ? She 
might have married and gone out to Ameriky, and then 
you'd have had to do without her altogether!" 

“God forbid! "said his wife, as she busied herself with 
looking after her guests. 

They were soon started on another subject. Farmer 
Owen had had an uncommonly heavy crop of hay that year. 


82 


A BAJ^^KRUPT HEART. 


and as most husbandmen had lost theirs through the 
drought, his good luck and the way he had secured it 
formed a grand subject of conversation between him and 
Mr. Llewellyn. The little bride had not half exhausted her 
tales of the wonders she had been introduced to in London, 
and they were all in full chatter, asking questions and an- 
swering them, when Hugh Owen said, suddenly: 

AYho^s this coming down the glen ? 

All eyes were instantly directed toward the steep hill 
which led to the farm-house, and down which a tall female 
figure was walking with rather slow footsteps. 

‘Ht’s a lady!'’^ quoth Mrs. Llewellyn, wonderingly. 

Whoever can she be? ILs a stranger! Lve never seen 
her in Usk before 

The woman was dressed very plainly, but she seemed to 
wear her clothes differently from the common herd. She 
raised her head every now and then, expectantly, and yet 
timidly, and during one of these movements Hetty caught 
sight of her face. 

Mother ! she screamed, as she jumped up from her 
seat, ^Ht’s our ISTell!^" 

Neill echoed her mother. Never I 

But Hetty had already left the house, and, meeting the 
advancing figure, had thrown both her arms around it. 

^‘'Nell! Nell! she cried. ^^0 Nell! we were just talk- 
ing of you! What joy it is to welcome you home! 

She seized her two hands and dragged her along till she 
stood in the midst of the astonished group. 

Mother, can’t you see ? It is our Nell. She has got 
her holiday at last, and has come to spend it with us.” 

‘^Yes, at last,” exclaimed Nell, as she fell into her 
mother’s opened arms. Mother, I’ve come home, and I 
never mean to leave you again.” 

At first, in their delight and surprise at her unexpected 
appearance, they could do nothing but kiss her, and gaze 
at her; but, when their excitement had somewhat subsided, 
all their anxiety was to hear why Nell had not given them 
warning of her return, and when she was going back to her 
situation again. 

Going back,” she echoed, with a shrill laugh; ^‘^I’m 
never going back at all, mother. I’m going to live with 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


83 


yon now, and help you, as Hetty used to do. I shall never 
go back, unless you tell me you don't want me." 

Her mother’s only answer was to cry over her, and say 
how much she had longed for her return; but Hetty was 
gazing at her sister with amazement. What had happened 
to her since they had parted in London ? Nell was as pale 
as death; she almost looked thinner than when she had 
seen her last; her eyes were abnormally large, and there 
were dark lines under them. Above all, there was a harsh 
shrillness in her voice which she had not noticed before. 

“"My darling lass," said Mrs. Llewellyn, “if you wait 
till your father and I hid you go, you’ll stay here forever. 
But have you been ailing, Nell? Hetty, here, said you 
were looking so well, but you don’t look so to me. Lon- 
don air can’t agree with you, to leave your cheeks so white 
and your lips so pale. Are you sure you are quite well, my 
lass ? If not, your mother will nurse you till you are. She 
hasn’t lost much of her good looks, has she, Hugh ? " 

“ Who’s that ? ’’ said Nell, turning round. “ What ! my 
old sweetheart ? How are you, Hugh ? How are you, Mrs. 
Owen ? I didn’t know mother had a tea party, you see, 
or I would come to-morrow, instead of to-day." 

Then she suddenly hurst into a wild fit of laughter. 

“ Isn’t it funny to be sitting amongst you all again ? I 
feel as if I had never left home. Ah! it’s a long time ago, 
isn’t it, mother ? A long, weary while. But it’s over now, 
thank God; over for good and all. I mean to stay at dear 
Panty-cuckoo Farm for the rest of my life, and look after 
the dairy, and the baking, and the washing, and let dear 
mother sit down and rest. You’ll think I've forgotten all 
about it, mother, but you’ll find you’re mistaken. In two 
or three days I shall have forgotten that I ever left Usk, 
and be as good a farm maid as ever." 

“0 Nell, my girl, you know how glad I shall be to have 
your help; but what made you think of coming home to 
give it me? I’m fairly puzzled what put it in your 
mind. Hetty understood you weren’t likely to get leave 
for a long time to come." 

“ What put it in my mind ? " repeated Nell, with a repe- 
tition of her shrill laugh; “why, Hetty, to be sure. She 
drew such a pitiful picture of mother, left without a 


84 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


daughter to help in her dairy work, that I couldn^t resist 
the temptation to run home, and give you all a surprise. 
Aren't glad to see me, father? Your bonny girl, 
you used to call me. I remember you w’ere vexed enough 
when I decided to go out to service. You threatened to 
lock me up on bread and water.^^ 

Glad to have you back, lass ? Aye! more glad than I 
can say. But I confess youAe taken us rather by surprise. 
What did your master say to your leaving him in such a 
hurry? Wasn’t he a hit put out? Hetty said he had left 
you in charge of the house.” 

Yell flushed suddenly, like a scarlet rose. 

So he did; but he’s altered his plans, and isn’t coming 
home now for a long time. And so, as a servant isn’t a 
slave, I’ve given him warning. He told me in his last let- 
ter I could leave London when I liked; and I liked to do 
so, now — now, at once. I couldn’t stay. I wanted my 
mother. I wanted Panty-cuckoo Farm. I wanted you all 
— and rest, rest.” 

She uttered the last words almost like a sigh. As they 
escaped her lips, she turned, and caught Hugh Owen’s eyes 
fixed on her. Yell threw back her head defiantly, as 
though she dared him to guess at anything she thought, or 
felt. 

Best,” said Mrs. Llewellyn, sympathizingly; “ of course 
you want rest, my poor child, and you shall have it here. 
They’ve worked you too hard in London. I was afraid of 
it when I heard what Hetty had to tell me about you. But 
you shall rest now, my bonny lass, you shall rest now.” 


85 


CHAPTER VIIL 

Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on tlie 
violin in Usk, and as soon as the party (with the exception 
of Nell) had discussed the good things provided for them, 
he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and pro- 
ceeded to play a plaintive ballad. His friends listened with 
respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too 
much for NelFs overstrung nerves. 

‘^0 give us something livelier, Mr. Owen, do! she cried, 
jumping up from her seat. “ ^ Robin Adair ^ is enough to 
give one the blues! Let’s have a dance, instead. Here, 
Hetty ! help me wheel the table into the corner, and we’ll 
stand up for a good old country reel. Did I tell you that 
Lord Ilfracombe is married ? We’ll dance in honor of the 
wedding!” 

The Earl married I ” exclaimed her sister, standing still 
in her amazement. ^AVhy, Nell, when did that happen? 
Wasn’t it very sudden? You said nothing about it when 
we were in London.” 

^*^0 it seems he had been thinking of it for a long 
while; but gentlemen don’t tell their secrets to their 
servants, you know. They take the responsibility and 
trouble and expense, and all the servants have to do is to 
smile and look happy, and dance at the wedding. Come 
along, Hugh,” she continued, pulling that young man by 
the arm, you shall be my partner. Hetty and Will must 
open the ball, of course, but we’ll show them how to dance 
at it. Up the middle and down again, hands across and 
turn your partner, as we used in the days gone by. That’s 
right, Mr. Owen, give us ^ Yankee Doodle.’ That’s the tune 
to make one’s feet fiy. Now, Hugh! ” 

She was dragging at his arm as hard as she could to 
make him rise from his seat, and she looked so beautiful 
with her fiushed cheeks and disordered hair that he found 
it hard to resist her. 

“ But, Nell — Miss Llewellyn,” he remonstrated, shyly. 


86 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


^^you forget — I cannot — it would not be seemly for me, in 
my character as minister, to dance. I have not done such a 
thing for years, and I shall never do it again.'^^ 

Nell regarded him for a moment with grave surprise, and 
then, with a hard laugh, flung his hand away from her. 

‘‘'You stupid! Do you really mean it? So much the 
worse for you! I shall dance with my dad, then! He 
won^’t refuse me, will you, daddy? Youfll have a fling 
with your girl in honor of her master’s wedding.” 

And she pulled the old farmer into the middle of the 
room as she spoke, whilst he, well pleased at her audacity 
and good spirits, allowed himself to be turned and twisted 
at the will of his handsome daughter, who flew up and 
down the dance as if she had never a care or a sorrow in 
her life. 

Hugh Owen sat by and watched her with troubled, 
anxious eyes. He almost regretted at that moment that his 
chosen vocation forbade his joining in the festivities before 
him. He would have given a good deal to have had his arm 
round his old sweetheart’s waist, and danced hand in hand 
with her to the merry tune his father played with so much 
spirit. Mrs. Llewellyn, though still on hospitable cares 
intent, and engaged at the sideboard with currant and 
orange wine and queen cakes, was delighted to watch the 
antics of her daughter, as they beat time with their flying 
feet to the strains of “Yankee Doodle”; but her pleasure 
was somewhat tempered by anxiety lest Nell should fatigue 
herself too much after her long journey. 

“ There, there, my lass ! ” she remonstrated, as she heard 
her urging Mr. Owen to play them another country dance; 
“you mustn’t forget you have come off a tiring jour- 
ney, and haven’t eaten a morsel since you entered the house. 
You ought to be in bed, my Nell, instead of cutting such 
jinks. I shall have you ill to-morrow if you don’t take 
care.” 

“ 111 ? Tired ? ” cried Nell, “ Fiddle-de-dee, mother ! No 
such thing! I shall be up at cock-crow to see after the 
hens and chickens, or to have a ride on Kitty. How’s the 
dear old mare, father ? ” 

“Old Kitty, my lass!” replied Farmer Llewellyn; “why, 
she’s been dead the best part of a year. Surely, your mother 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


87 


or Hetty told you that. You must have forgotten it, 
Nell!^’ 

A shade came over the young woman’s laughing face. 

Old Kitty dead,” she murmured, in a subdued voice. 

Dear old Kitty, that I used to ride astride when I was in 
short frocks. 0 I am sorry. No one told me, I am sure. 
I couldn’t have forgotten it. I loved old Kitty so well. 
She was part of home to me.” 

Ah ! my girl,” said her father, if the old mare is the 
only thing you’ve forgotten in Usk, you’ve no call to blame 
yourself. I’ve been sometimes afraid that your grand 
ways and friends up in London might make you too fine 
for Panty-cuckoo Farm; but it don’t seem so now. They’ve 
made a lady of you, Nell, but not too fine a one to forget 
the old folks at home; thank God for that. You won’t 
look down on your mother and sister because their ways of 
speaking are not so grand as what you’ve been accustomed 
to hear; nor despise them and the old farm if we can’t give 
you as many luxuries as you got up in your fine place in 
London ? ” 

“Despise them? Look down on them?” echoed Nell. 
“ 0 dad, you don’t know what you’re talking of. It is Lon- 
don that I hate and despise, and look down upon. It is 
the people there who are false, and cold, and cruel. I want 
to forget it all. I want to forget I ever went there. I hate 
service; it is degrading and despicable; and, 0 so lonely, to 
be far away from home, and mother and you. When I 
heard Hetty speak of you both, I could stand it no longer. 
I was obliged to come straight back to you all again.” 

“ And now we’ve got you, we shan’t let you go again in 
a hurry, Nell. You must stay, and be the comfort of our 
old age. But you had better be handing round your wine 
and cakes, wife. It’s getting on for ten o’clock, and our 
friends here have a matter of a couple o’ miles to walk to 
Dale Farm. I’ll have the mare put in the cart in two min- 
utes, farmer, and drive you home myself, if you’ll only say 
the word.” 

“ Not for us, sir,” replied Owen. “ My missus here likes 
a walk; and, as for the young ’uns, it does them good. 
Come on, Hetty. You’ll be main proud and happy, now 
you’ve got your sister back again, and I expect we shall 


88 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


have a job to keep you at Dale Farm. There’ll be a mes- 
sage, or a summat for Panty-cuckoo, most days of the week, 
I know.” 

Meanwhile, Hugh Owen had ’drawn near to Nell Llew- 
ellyn. 

“I am glad to find you haven’t quite forgotten me,” he 
said, as he held her hand; ^‘and I hope you will let me 
come sometimes and pay you a visit at Panty-cuckoo 
Farm, as I used to do.” 

Why, surely. You are often here, with Hetty and Will, 
I suppose.” 

Not often. My duties take up so much of my time. 
But sometimes I have an hour to spend in the evening, 
and I shouldn’t like to let our friendship drop, now it has 
been renewed. Are you fond of reading?” 

It depends on what I have to read. I’m not over fond 
of sermons, such as you used to give me in the old days, 
Hugh.” 

The young man colored. 

^^Used I to give you sermons? It must have been very 
presumptuous of me. I will promise to give you no more; 
at least, in private. But I have a very fair library of 
books, and they are all at your service, if you should re- 
quire them.” 

“ Thank you. I will tell you if I should want something 
to amuse me; but, for the present, I shall be too busy 
Yelping mother, and getting my hand in for dairy and 
laundry work.” 

^^You will never come back to that now. Y"ou have 
grown above it,” replied the young man, gazing admiringly 
at her smooth, pallid complexion, and white hands. 

‘AVhat do you know about it?” said Nell, curtly. 

Don’t bet against me, Hugh, or you’ll lose your money. 
Good-night ! Mother says you preach out in the fields, 
and some day I’ll come with her to hear you, just for old 
times’ sake. But if you’re very prosy I shall walk straight 
home again; so I give you fair warning.” 

“Only tell me when you’re coming, and I’ll not be 
prosy,” cried Hugh, eagerly. 

^ The rest of the party had put on their wraps by this 
time, and were prepared to start. Hetty wound her arm 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


89 


around her sister’s waist, and they walked together up the 
steep incline to the wide, white gate, where the Dale Farm 
people joined forces, and set out for home. Nell stood in 
the moonlight, gazing after them till they had disappeared 
round the turning of the road, and then retraced her foot- 
steps. As she found herself alone in the white moonlight, 
with only the solitude and the silence, all the forced gaiety 
she had maintained throughout the evening deserted her, 
and she staggered and caught at the slender trunk of an 
apple tree to prevent herself from falling. 

‘‘0 my God! my God!” she prayed, ‘^how shall I 
bear it ? ” 

Her eyes were strained to the starry sky — her face looked 
ghastly in the moonlight — her frame trembled as if she 
could not support herself. She might have remained thus 
for an indefinite time had she not been roused by the 
sound of her mother’s voice, calling her from the farm-house 
door. 

“ Nell, my lass, where are you ? Come in, quick, there’s a 
dear! You will catch a chill, standing out there with 
naught on.” 

She was hungering, poor mother! to take her stray lamb 
back to her bosom and have her all to herself. She 
had seen with concern that Nell had neither eaten nor 
drank since she had returned home, and she feared the 
effect of the excitement on her health. At the sound of 
her appeal, Nell came slowly down the dell again and 
entered the sitting-room. 

“Now, my lass,” said Mrs. Llewellyn, “you must just sit 
down here on the old settle, and eat and drink a bit. I’m 
afraid our fare seems different from what you’ve been 
accustomed to in London, but you’ll soon relish it again. 
London folks haven’t the appetites of country i^eople, so 
they’re obliged to coax their stomachs; but you’ll take 
this junket, I’m sure, and a glass of wine, just to please your 
mother.” 

And as she sat her on the settle and pressed the 
dainties on her, Nell felt constrained to eat them, though 
they tasted like leather in her mouth. Now that the excite- 
ment was over, her white, strained looks and hollow cheeks 
went to her mother’s heart. 


90 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


Aye/^ she said, complainingly, “ but you are thin and 
pale, my lass! I haven't had time to see you rightly till 
now. Why, youhe shaking like an aspen! Have you been 
ill, Nell, or is this the effects of London ? 

No, indeed, I am not ill,^^ returned Nell, with quiver- 
ing lips; only rather tired after my journey, and maybe 
the excitement of coming to my dear old home. I think I 
had better go to bed now. I have taken you terribly by 
surprise, but Fm sure youffl find a bed for me somewhere, 
mother.^^ 

^^Find a bed for you, darling! said Mrs. Llewellyn, 

why, your father and I would turn out of our own, sooner 
than you shouldn't lie easy the first night you come back 
to us. But your own room is ready for you, Nell. No one 
has slept in it since you went away, not even Hetty, and 
Martha has been setting it to rights for you all the even- 
ing. Will you come, my dear, for you look ready to drop 
with fatigue ? ’’ 

Nell was only too glad to accept the offer, and Mrs. 
Llewellyn conducted her up-stairs, and undressed her and 
put her to bed with all the tenderness and solicitude she 
had shown in performing the same offices when she was a 
little child. Is there ever a time when a mother ceases to 
regard the creature she has brought into the world as other 
than a child ? He may be a bearded man, the father of a fam- 
ily or the hero of a nation, or she may be a weary and harassed 
woman, full of care and anxieties — but to their mothers 
they are always children to be looked after, loved and 
cared for. There is no position in which maternal love 
shines more brightly than when the infant she has nourished 
at her breast is returned upon her hands — a man or 
woman, perhaps in middle age, but weak, ill, helpless and 
requiring a mother’s care. She may mourn the necessity, 
but how she revels in having her baby back again, as de- 
pendent on her as when he or she had not yet begun to 
walk! Who would nurse him and watch him, and know 
neither fatigue nor privation for his sake as she can do ? 
Happy those who have a mother to fiy to when they are ill or 
miserable! Mrs. Llewellyn smoothed out Nell’s luxuriant 
braids of hair, reveling in their beauty, and put her best 
night-dress on her, and laid her between the snow-white 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


91 


sheets, as if she had been four years old, instead of four and 
twenty. But this latter necessity brought an awkward 
question in its train — where had Nell left her own things ? 
Had she brought them with her and deposited them at the 
railway station, or were they to follow her from London ? At 
first the girl was silent; she did not know what to say. 
The awkwardness of the situation had not struck her 
before. Her face blanched still paler, and her mother saw 
she had introduced an embarrassing subject. Nell had 
turned round on her pillow and hidden her face from 
view. 

Never mind thinking about it to-night, my dear,^^ said 
Mrs. Llewellyn, kindly; “youTe too tired. Try and go to 
sleep, Nell, and you can tell me everything to-morrow.^^ 
Yes,^^ murmured Nell, with her face still hidden, 
^^you shall hear all about it to-morrow. I have no box 
with me, mother. I — I got into a little scrape — debt, you 
know — and I had to part with my clothes. You wonT be 
angry with me ? 

‘‘Angry with you, my dear? DonT get any foolish 
notions like that into your head! If you sold your things 
to pay your debt, it was an honest thing to do; and we’d be 
the last, father and I, to blame you for it. And we’ve got 
enough money in the stocking to buy you more. So set 
your mind at rest about that, my girl; and now go to sleep 
and wake bright to-morrow.” 

She kissed her daughter as she spoke, and went back to 
the parlor to rejoin her husband. But the first words the 
farmer uttered fanned the little breath of suspicion which 
she had entertained about Nell’s sudden coming home into 
a flame. 

“Well, how is she?” demanded Llewellyn, as his wife 
entered the parlor. 

“0 well enough, Griffith,” she replied; “very tired, as 
you may have seen, and a bit inclined to he hysterical, but 
that’ll all wear olf by to-morrow.” 

“ I hope it may,” said the farmer; “but I don’t quite un- 
derstand why she came home without giving us the least 
warning. It seems queer, now doesn’t it ? Here was the 
girl in a first-class place, drawing big wages, as Hetty said 
she must, from the lavish way in which she spent money 


92 


A BAN^KRUPT HEART. 


whilst they were in town, and, without a word or warning, 
she chucks it all up and rushes home to us.'’^ 

Well, father, you wouldn't be the one to blame her for 
that, surely.’"’ 

“ Not I, if she’d done it in a decent way. Haven’t I 
asked her a dozen times since she left us to come home if 
she felt inclined ? But big situations ain’t thrown up in 
that way, Mary. Servants have to give a month’s notice 
before they leave. Has she left Lord Ilfracombe’s service 
before he has got some one to fill her place ? There’s 
something I don’t understand about it all, and I wish Nell 
had come back in a more regular manner. AYhere’s her boxes 
and things? Has she left them in London or brought them 
with her? And, if so, why didn’t she bring them on in 
Johnson’s fiy, or ask me to send Bob with the cart to 
fetch them ? ” 

At this query Mrs. Llewellyn almost began to cry. 

“ 0 Griffith, my man! you mustn’t be hard on the lass; but 
she hasn’t got anything with her. No box nor nothing — only 
the clothes she stands upright in. She has just told me so.” 

^AYhat! from a situation like Lord Ilfracombe’s ?” ex- 
claimed the farmer. ‘AVhat has she done with them, 
then ? There’s some mystery about all this that I don’t 
like, Mary, and I mean to get to the bottom of it ! ” 

There’s no mystery, Griffith, only a misfortune. Nell 
has told me all about it. I think she must have spent more 
than she could afford — perhaps on her sister when she was 
in London — anyway, our Nell got in debt and sold her 
things to pay it. It was very unfortunate, but it was hon- 
orable, you see. And she is but a girl, after all. AVe 
mustn’t judge her too hardly. She didn’t know how much 
she owed, perhaps, or she thought she’d make it up from 
her wages; and then this marriage took place, and she left, 
and found herself in a fix. It seems very plain to me.” 

But why should she leave when his lordship got mar- 
ried ? He’ll want a housekeeper just the same. And likely 
would have raised Nell’s wages. It was the very time for 
her to stay on.” 

Ah, well, father, she longed to see us all again; you 
heard the dear lass say so, and you’d be the last to blame 
her for that, I’m sure.” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


93 


“ Of course/^ replied her husband. No one is better 
pleased to have the girl back than I am, but I wish it had 
been all straight and above board and with no mystery 
about it ; for Vd lay my life you haven^t got at the bottom 
of it yet, wife, nor ever will, if the jade don't mean you to. 
You don't know the tricks they learns them up in London. 
Well, now she's come back, she stays. I won't have no 
more London, and no more mysteries. She's welcome back 
as the flowers in May, but I wish she'd told the whole truth 
about it." 


94 


CHAPTER IX. 

Hell slept only by snatches through that night, and 
waked the next morning with a heart of lead in her bosom. 
She had been so long unused to country sights and sounds 
that she opened her eyes with the first gleam of sunshine 
that streamed througli her window. The air was so pure, 
and the surroundings so peaceful, that she could hear the 
gardeners whetting their scythes in Sir Archibald Bow- 
manPs grounds, and the milkers whistling or talking to 
each other, as they took their way to the cowsheds. A 
lark was executing his wonderful, untaught thrills far up 
somewhere in the blue heavens, and the farm-yard chorus 
had commenced to tune up — hens clucking; ducks quack- 
ing; pigs grunting; and cows lowing, as they asked to be 
delivered of their burden of milk. The honeysuckle and 
roses, which clambered outside her window and tapped 
against the panes, were filling the morning air with their 
fragrance; the dew-laden grass sent forth a sweet, faint 
odor; the smell of ripening fruit and ripened vegetables 
permeated the air. These were the things of which Nell 
had dreamed in her town life with intense longing; which 
she had sickened to see and hear again; the re-enjoyment 
of which, she had believed, would prove the panacea for 
every pain, the cure for every trouble. And now they were 
all before her in their fullest beauty, and she turned her 
face from them and hid it on her pillows. The innocent 
sights and sounds made her tremble, and turn faint with 
despair. They were no longer for her; she had outgrown 
them. The simple tastes of her childhood mocked her as 
she lay there — a deceiver, a pretender, an acting lie in her 
father's household. Nell had kept back the truth for 
years, but she had never perverted it before; stooped to 
falsehoods to hide her shame; deceived her father and her 
mother, and come back to take her place amongst them, as 
a pure woman, when she knew herself to be no longer 
pure. The very things which she had believed would be 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


95 


her balm had proved her bane. The very daisies and but- 
tercups rose up in judgment against her, until she felt her- 
self unworthy to pluck the flowers of the field. These 
thoughts so depressed her, that she rose in a melancholy 
mood that quite precluded her keeping up the farce of 
gaiety which she had played the night before. She ap- 
peared at the breakfast table so pale, and heavy-eyed, and 
languid, that her father gazed at her with surprise; and 
her mother, in pity for her looks, tried to divert her hus- 
band’s attention from them as much as possible, by talking 
of Hetty and their acquaintances in Usk. The conversa- 
tion came round in time to their landlord. Sir Archibald 
Bowmant. 

‘^Are the family at home, mother asked Nell. “I 
could hear the men mowing the lawn distinctly, from my 
window this morning, and I fancied I could smell the scent 
from those huge mounds of heliotrope they used to have in 
front of the dining-room windows. I have never seen 
heliotrope grow in such profusion anywhere else.^^ 

‘^No, my girl, there’s nobody there, nor likely to be till 
the summer is well over. Sir Archibald is our landlord, 
and a liberal one, so weVe no call to say vanything against 
him, and perhaps it’s no business of ours; but he is a very 
different gentleman since he married again. The first Lady 
Bowmant was a good woman, and, though I suppose Sir 
Archibald was always inclined to be wild, she kept him 
straight, as you may say. But, since his second marriage, 
well! Usk Hall is not the same place.” 

How is it altered ? ” said Nell, trying to take a languid 
interest in her mother’s conversation. 

“ 0 in everything, my dear. In my lady’s time (I al- 
ways call her my lady, you know, Nell, on account of my 
having been her maid before her marriage), the family 
used to go to church regularly every Sunday; he and she in 
their carriage, and as many servants as could be spared, 
following them up the aisle. But now, their pew’s empty 
from week’s end to week’s end. Of course, if the master 
and mistress don’t attend church, the servants can’t be ex- 
pected to do so. And I doubt if they’d have tlie time, for 
they seem to be kept working more on Sundays than on 
any other day in the week.” 


9G 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


How is that, mother ? 

“ They keep such a heap of company, my dear; and when 
they’re not tearing over the country on horseback they’re 
playing cards all day. James Powell, the under footman, 
says it’s something awful — like hell opened, was his words. 
They begin the first thing after breakfast; and then it’s 
gambling, and swearing, and brandies and sodas, till night. 
My lady seems to think nothing of it. She has a lot of 
brothers, and I suppose she was brought up amongst it all. 
She drives a tandem, and has nearly killed several people 
by her fast driving; she didi'Mn over Betsy Eigden’s little 
girl one day; but it wasn’t much hurt, and Sir Archibald 
sent Betsy a ten-pound note, so nothing more was said 
about it ; but to my mind it isn’t decent that, just as sober 
people are on their way to church, my lady should come 
tearing down the road in her tandem, with some young 
gentleman by her side, and both laughing so loud you 
might hear them half a mile ofi. Ah! it’s a very different 
house to what it used to be.” 

“ But they’re not at home now, you say ? ” 

No, my lass, nor won’t be till October or thereabouts, 
and then they will keep it up till it’s time to go back to 
London, or off to some of those foreign places Sir Archi- 
bald is so fond of, and where I hear they do nothing but 
gamble. It’s a dreadful habit for them to have got into. 
1 never thought, at one time, that I should have lived to see 
Sir Archibald the worse for liquor, but I’m sorry to say I 
have, more than once. However, as I said before, he’s been 
a good landlord to father there, so we’re the last as should 
speak against him. He fills my two rooms every autumn 
and far into the spring, and if I had six I could let them 
to him. Last year he came to ask me to let him have 
the whole farm-house and find beds for ourselves else- 
where, and he would have made it worth our while, too; but 
I told him it couldn’t be. I couldn’t away from my dairy and 
bakehouse; nothing would go right if I wasn’t on the spot.” 

Do you go to church still, mother, or to chapel ? ” asked 
her daughter. 

I^Why, to church, Nell, of course! What makes you 
think we should change our religion? You go to church, 
too, I hope!” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


or 


Nell waived the question. 

“Only because of Hugh Owen/'’ she said. “You spoke 
so well of his preaching that I thought you might have gone 
over to the Dissenters.'” 

“ No, no, my lass! No going over for us! Father and I 
were born and bred church people and we’ll be buried as 
such ; eh, father ? ” 

“ AYhy, certainly,” replied the farmer; “ I never hold with 
chopping and changing. Live as you’ve been bred. That’s 
my motto!” 

“ Of course the Owens have always been Dissenters,” con- 
tinued Mrs. Llewellyn, “ so I would never say nothing 
against Hetty going to chapel with her husband, for where 
he goes it’s her duty to follow; but we only went to hear 
Hugh preach for friendshij^’s sake. But, there! it was 
beautiful and no mistake. The words seemed to come 
flowing out of his mouth like milk and honey. They say 
as Mr. Johnson, the curate, is quite jealous of the way 
that Hugh draws his congregation away to chapel. You 
must come with me and hear him one evening, Nell. It’s 
mostly Wednesday evenings that he takes the open-air 
service in Mr. Tasker’s fleld. He stands on a high bench, 
and the people crowd round to hear him. He seems to 
speak so much from his heart. I’m sure if there was one 
woman crying last Wednesday there was a dozen.” 

“ Including Mrs. Llewellyn,” remarked the farmer, as he 
rose from table and shook the crumbs from his coat. 

“ AVell, I don’t deny it, and I’m not ashamed of it,” re- 
plied his wife. “Nell will cry, too, maybe, when she hears 
her old sweetheart talk. It’s not much of a match for 
Hetty, Nell — not such a match as I hope to see you make 
some"^ day, my girl — but they’re good people, the Owens, and 
she'’s safe under their care.” 

“And what do you want more?” demanded the farmer; 
“ it’s far better than if she’d married some half-and-half 
fellow, who’d have brought her down to poverty or worse! 
All I want for my girls is respectable husbands; men as 
will stick to them and work for them; not fashionable 
popinjays that would give ’em fine clothes and fine 
words for awhile, and then maybe desert ’em for another 
woman! You had better make a lot of Will Owen, wife. 


98 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


for you won’t get another son-in-law as good as he in 
a hurry.” 

AVith which, Mr. Llewellyn took his thick crabthorn 
walking-stick and went on his way. 

Lor,” said his wife, as he disappeared, ‘‘ the way father 
do stick up for the Owens is wonderful! Not that I’ve 
a word to say against them, but I should have looked higher 
for Hetty myself. AYilliam is a good lad, but not more than 
a laborer on his father’s farm; and John Nelson, at the 
post-office, proposed twice for her, but she wouldn’t look 
at him, though he makes three hundred a year in hard 
cash. But I won’t hear of any farmhand for you, Nell. 
You’ve got the looks to make a good marriage, my girl, and 
I hope you’ll make it. You’re rather peaky now, and your 
eyes are sunken and dark underneath. I shouldn’t wonder 
if your liver wasn’t out of order, but country fare and air 
will soon set you right again, and then there won’t be a 
prettier girl for miles round. It was time you came back 
to us, for you’d have lost all your good looks if you’d re- 
mained in London much longer.” 

Nell had listened to this lengthy discourse almost in si- 
lence. She had been thinking all the time, 0 if they 
knew; if they only knew!” She had tried to pull her- 
self together several times, and laugh, and chat, as she 
had done the night before; but she had found it impossi- 
ble. It was as if some weight had been attached to all her 
mental powers, and dragged them down. She had a hor- 
rible feeling that, if she s 2 )oke at all, she should blurt out 
the truth, and tell them everything. So she remained si- 
lent and miserable, wishing that she had never come back 
to Usk, but been drowned in the deep bosom of the 
Thames. 

I’m afraid you’ve got a bit of a headache still, my 
dear,” remarked her voluble mother, as she rose from the 
breakfast table; ‘^and so I won’t ask you to come round 
the dairy with me this morning. You’d rather rest on the 
sofa and read a book, I daresay.” 

No, no,” cried Nell, rousing herself. I’d rather go 
where you go, mother. I should go mad — I mean, I should 
feel my headache much more, sitting here by myself. Let 
me come and see all over the dear, old house with you. It 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


99 


will do me good; I must keep stirring, or I shall feel things 
— my headache, so much worse for thinking of it.^" 

So she made a great elfort, and followed her mother on 
her various vocations, and made the dairy maids open their 
eyes to hear the refinement of her speech, and to see her 
graceful movements, and the daintiness with which her 
clothes were made and worn. Had they but been able to 
read her mind they would have seen, with amazement, that 
she shrunk from contact with them, because her dread se- 
cret was eating into her very soul, and making her feel un- 
fit to associate with her fellow-men. She had only realized 
the truth, and what her love for Lord Ilfracombe had made 
her, by fits and starts, in London; but here, in the heart of 
God's country, it was borne in upon her to such an extent, 
that she felt as if every innocent animal, and fresh, modest 
wild blossom must proclaim it to the world. So she went 
moodily about the farm-house all day, and her mother be- 
lieved that she was ill, and ransacked her brain to think of 
a remedy for her. In the evening, as they were all sitting 
quietly together (for Mrs. Llewellyn had been asking her 
husband for some money to get Nell a new outfit, which 
had recalled to his mind the impoverished condition in 
which his daughter had returned home), who should walk 
in amongst them, to the general surprise, but Hugh Owen. 
He looked rather conscious as he entered the room, but ex- 
cused his visit on the score of asking how Nell had borne 
her journey, and to bring her a book which he thought she 
might like to read. 

^‘You need no excuses for coming to Panty-cuckoo 
Harm, my lad," exclaimed the farmer. You're always 
welcome here. What's the day ? Tuesday ? Ah ! then to- 
morrow's the grand field night, which accounts for your 
having the time to come over this evening." 

The young man blushed, and looked at Nell. 

‘‘Yes," he answered; “to-morrow is my field night, as 
you call it, farmer. I hope it may prove a harvest field." 

“ Now, just tell me how you do it, lad," said the old man. 
“ Do you iie awake of nights, and make up all you're going 
to say, or do you wait until the people are before you, and 
then just tell 'em what's in your mind ? I'm curious to 
know, for your flow of words is wonderful, and I can't un- 


100 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


derstand how any man can talk for two mortal hours, as you 
did last Wednesday, unless he’s stored it all up beforehand. 
It heats me altogether. I never heard the like before.” 

He had got Hugh astride his hobby, and the young man 
found his tongue at once. 

0 Mr. Llewellyn, if you loved the people as I do, you 
would find it quite as easy as talking to your family at 
home. I do think of Avhat I wish to say to them; some- 
times the thought walks with me, as you might say, all 
day long; but I seldom use the words I’ve been dreaming 
of. I go to the spot with my mind full of some set speech; 
but when I see the people who wait for me — all of them 
old neighbors, or children whom I’ve seen grow up amongst 
us — and most of them dear friends, I feel as if my very 
soul went out to meet them, yearning to gather them all 
safe into the fold. The words in which to warn and en- 
treat them come too quick, then, to my lips for utterance, 
and sometimes I’ve had to swallow down my sobs before I 
could find a voice with which to speak. The difficulty is 
not to speak, Mr. Llewellyn. The hard part is to keep 
silence, when one sees so many whom one loves, living for 
nothing but to eat and to drink, and as if there were no 
God in the world.” 

The farmer and his wife had been regarding Hugh Owen 
during this speech with open-eyed amazement — Nell, with 
a scared look, half fear and half annoyance. 

Eh, lad,” said Mr. Llewellyn, but it’s a rare gift, and 
you’ve got it, there’s no doubt of that ! But as for living 
to eat and drink — we must do it or we shouldn’t live at 
all; and we do it for others as well as ourselves. What 
would become of my missus there, and Nell, now, for the 
matter of that, if I didn’t see after the ploughing and reap- 
ing, and wife, after the dairy and the bakehouse ? We’d all 
be dead of starvation by the end of the year if I took to 
preaching in the fields, like you, instead of farming them.” 

^‘Indeed, yes, Mr. Llewellyn! You quite mistake if you 
think I consider it part of religion to neglect the work we 
have been given to do. But we can live to God and do our 
duty at one and the same time. It seems so difficult to me,” 
continued the young enthusiast, as he flung his hair off his 
brow and lifted his dark eyes to Nell’s face, to live in the 


A BAJ^KRUPT HEART. 


101 


country, surrounded by God's works, and not remember 
Him! Why, a country side like Usk is a continual churcb- 
going! Every leafy tree is a cathedral — the flowery 
meadows are altar carpets — each wild bird singing, in its 
thankfulness, a chorister! God's face is reflected in the least 
of His works. How can we look at them and forget Him?" 

Aye, aye, my lad ! " responded the farmer, as, with a 
glance at his wife, as much as to say, He’s as mad as a 
March hare! ’’ he arose to quit the house for the stables. 

Hugh directed his attention more particularly to Nell. 

“ I hope I haven’t worried you,’’ he said, sweetly; I do 
not often introduce these subjects into my ordinary con- 
versation, but your father drew me on before I was quite 
aware of it. I have brought you a book to read which can- 
not fail to interest you: Burton’s ‘Travels in Africa.’ 
Have you seen it yet ? ’’ 

She took the volume listlessly and answered, “ No." 

“ How I should love to travel amongst those wild tribes! " 
continued Hugh, enthusiastically; “to make friends with 
them and bring them to a knowledge of the truth! The 
fauna and the flora, too, of strange climates, how inter- 
esting they must be! To have undertaken such a journey 
— to have left such a record behind one — would almost sat- 
isfy the ambition of a lifetime ! ’’ 

“You should be a missionary," said Nell; “you are cut 
out for it." 

“ Do you really think so — that I could be worthy of so 
high a vocation? I have sometimes thought of it, but 
always shrunk back from so great a responsibility." 

“You seem fond of sacrifices," said Nell, half mockingly; 
“you were talking of making them just now. You would 
have plenty, then. You would have to leave your parents 
and brother and sister, perhaps forever, and be eaten up by 
a lion or your interesting cannibals instead." 

“Yes, yes; it would be hard," he answered, ignoring, or 
not perceiving the joking spirit in which she treated the 
idea, “ and harder now than it has ever seemed before. But 
the prospect will be always before me, to my life’s end, as 
something that may come to pass, if I find no higher duties 
to keep me at home. But I am tiring you, perhaps. You 
have not yet recovered from your long journey, Nell — if 


102 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


I may call you so — your eyes look weary and your hands 
tremble. Are you sure you are quite well 

“Yes, yes, perfectly so; only fatigued, as you_ surmise, 
and in need of fresh air. All Londoners are obliged, as a 
rule, to leave town after the hot season, you know, in order 
to recruit. I shall be all right when I have spent a few 
weeks in Usk.'’^ 

“ And then I hope you will cease to speak, or think of 
yourself as a Londoner. I have never been there, but I 
have heard it is full of temptations to frivolity and careless 
living, and that it is difficult to keep close to God in Lon- 
don. Tell me something of your life there, Nell. Had 
you liberty to go to church whenever you chose, and did 
you hear any fine preachers, such as Dr. Liddon and Dr. 
Irons ? Did you ever go amongst the j)oor — the poor who 
live in alleys and back slums, or did your employer disap- 
prove of your visiting such ? 

“ I know nothing — I mean, I can tell you nothing,^'’ cried 
Nell, suddenly rising to her feet. “ I am weary. I must go 
to my own room. It will take me days to recover the fatigue 
I have gone through. Good-night! Don't think me rude, 
but I cannot talk to you of such things now.'^ 

And with a curt nod, Nell went off in search of her 
mother, leaving him alone and somewhat disconcerted at 
the abrupt ending of their conversation. Mrs. Llewellyn 
was almost as puzzled as Hugh Owen at her daughter's 
strange behavior. She could not understand her. The 
next day dragged itself disappointingly away. Nell con- 
tinued in the same passive, indifferent disposition, and 
when some neighbors, who had heard of her return home, 
called at Panty-cuckoo Farm expressly to welcome her, she 
locked herself into her bedroom, and refused even to 
answer Mrs. Llewellyn's entreaties that she Avould make 
an effort to come down and see them. Towards evening, 
however, she became feverishly excitable again, and seemed 
impatient to find some vent for it. 

“ What can we do, mother ? " she exclaimed, as they rose 
from the tea-table. “ Isn't this the night for Hugh Owen's 
preaching ? Let's go and hear him. It'll make me scream 
with laughter to see old Hugh stuck up as a minister." 

“Aye! but dearie, you mustn't laugh when you get there. 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


103 


or there will be a scandal, and poor Hugh will be main 
hurt. Besides, you had better rest in the garden. The 
field’s more than a mile oil, and I’m afraid you’ll feel tired 
before you get there.” 

'‘Not a bit of it,” cried the girl. “I’m just in the 
humor for walking this evening, mother. I couldn’t re- 
main in the garden, it’s too slow; so, if you don’t want to 
hear Hugh, I’ll go by myself.” 

“0 no, you don’t do that,” replied Mrs. Llewellyn, 
hastily. “ I’m too proud of getting my handsome daughter 
back again after so many years, to let her go tramping over 
Usk by herself the first day she is at home. The Owens 
are sure to he there, and Hetty will be main glad to meet 
us. So put on your hat, Nell, and we’ll be off. I wish 
you’d something a hit smarter to wear than that big black 
thing; however, I can’t deny hut it suits you, all the 
same.” 

So chattering, the old woman trotted off by her tall 
daughter’s side, until they had reached Mr. Tasker’s field. 
The open-air service had commenced some time when they 
arrived there. The thirty or forty people assembled had 
sung several hymns and listened to Hugh Owen’s earnest 
prayer, and were now engrossed by his address. The young 
preacher stood upon a bench, his long hair waving in the 
summer breeze, his eyes fixed upon his small congregation, 
and his arms stretched out as though to embrace them. 
He was not so enrapt, though, but that he perceived the 
approach of Nell and her mother, who took up their stand 
on the outside of the little group. His pale cheek glowed 
for a moment, and his heart beat more rapidly; hut he 
soon subdued these feelings, and threw his heart and soul 
once more into the work he had appointed himself to do. 
He paused for one instant to recover his equanimity, and 
then proceeded with his discourse. 

“ What is the great evil of this world, my friends ? ” he 
said. “ What is the greatest sin we sin against each other 
and ourselves? The sin of deceit. AVe deceive each other 
in trading; even the smallest grain of cheating, be it the 
quarter of a quarter of an ounce less in the scales than it 
should be, is as great a robbery in God’s eyes; as great a 
wrong to our neighbors; as great a wrong to ourselves, as 


104 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


if it had been a hundred-weight. We deceive each other in 
religion; we go to church or chapel because others do, and 
others would think us irreligious if we neglected to do so, 
but we do not tell our neighbors this. We profess that 
we attend service for the love of God — because ■ we 
could not be happy without attending; because the duty is a 
comfort and a delight to us. Can any duty so fulfilled 
bring any blessings in its train ? And many of us are 
living lies. This seems a hard judgment, but look into 
your own hearts and say if it is not true. Which of you 
shows yourself in your true light to the world? Your 
small meannesses — your hasty tempers — your neglected 
duties — your backbitings — you put them all aside in 
public, and let your neighbors think you good mistresses, 
kind wives and husbands, liberal parents and faithful 
friends. But do you imagine you can deceive God — the 
God of truth, who hates a lie — from whose heaven, we are 
told, all liars shall be excluded ? How many of you now 
before me could enter that heaven to-day? How many are 
there who, if their real characters were known — if their 
secret sins were laid bare — would be received with the love 
and respect which you all accept as your due ? Many a 
pure and beautiful outside conceals a deceitful soul — many 
an apparently innocent face is the mask for a guilty con- 
science. But you cannot deceive your God. He knows 
every sin you have committed — every wrong thought you 
have entertained. Is it not strange that what you are not 
afraid to let your God know you have done, you would not 
have your neighbor find out for all the world ? But which 
is better, to be rejected of men to-day or of God in the 
days to come ? — to endure a little scorn and contumely now, 
in a life which can only last at the best for a few years, or 
to be shut out from God^s love forever ? Think, my dearest 
friends, of what His love forever means! Forever and for- 
ever and forever — without sorrow or sickness or sin — 
wrapped in the arms of His boundless mercy and protec- 
tion for all time, and then compare it with the paltry gain 
of keeping the good opinion of your neighbor here below — 
one who probably (if the truth \^ere known) has sinned in 
like proportion with yourself! If I could only make you 
realize what God’s love is like, you would, in order to gain 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


105 


it, throw all earthly consideration to the winds and think 
of Him and Him only! He loves you as no mortal man can 
ever love you, and He hates a liar. He has said he will have 
none of them — that, if men will not confess their sins 
before the world. He will not number them with His elect 
in heaven. And this confessing includes 

But here Hugh Owen's discourse was interrupted by a 
shrill scream, as Nell Llewellyn fell back in her mother’s 
arms in a fit of violent hysterics. Of course every one 
present (who had been longing for the address to be con- 
cluded, that they might renew their acquaintance with her) 
rushed forward simultaneously to offer their advice or as- 
sistance. But Nell shrunk from them all alike, as she tried 
to quell the distressing cries that rose involuntarily from 
her, in her mother’s bosom. 

Just stand aside a bit and let the poor lass have air,” 
said Mrs. Llewellyn. She's so weak and faint after that 
nasty London, that the walk’s been too much for her. I 
was afraid it might be; but she was so bent on hearing 
Hugh Owen preach! There, Nell — there, my lass! try and 
control yourself, do! Lean on me, and we’ll go slowly home 
again. I’m main sorry we’ve interrupted your discourse, 
Hugh, but I hope you'll go on now all the same. And you 
must forgive poor Nell, It's all because she's so weak and 
upset-like.” 

^^I’m sorry she came this evening,” replied Hugh, who 
was the picture of distress; ^^hut let me take her, Mrs. 
Llewellyn; I am stronger than you are, and Nell can lean 
as hard as she likes on me.” 

But Nell turned her head away, and, at this juncture, 
one of the neighbors who lived close by returned with a 
little, chaise drawn by a ragged pony, which he had been to 
fetch; and, putting Nell and her mother in it, he drove them 
home, and Mrs. Llewellyn's whole care was then directed to 
getting her daughter into bed, where, she trusted, she 
would sleep and recuperate her exhausted strength. But, 
creeping up an hour afterwards to see how she was going 
on, she found her so ill that she sent for the village doctor, 
who pronounced her to be,in a very critical condition; and 
before another twelve hours were over her head, Nell was 
raving in the delirium of a nervous fever. 


106 


CHAPTER X. 

Lord and Lady Ilfracombe had a pleasant time yacht- 
ing in the Mediterranean. The weather was perfect; the 
companions. Captain Knyvett and Mr. Castelon, whom 
they had invited to accompany them, proved to be agree- 
able and entertaining; and the Debutante was as luxu- 
rious a little vessel as can well be imagined. Nora, who 
was the only lady on board, fascinated the whole crew, 
gentlemen and sailors alike. AVithout being in the least 
masculine, she was as energetic and as much to the fore as 
any man aboard. She did not suffer from mal de mer, and 
had no feminine fads, fancies or fears. She never failed to 
appear at the breakfast table, or to sit up playing cards, or 
singing songs to her hanjo, till the most wakeful among 
them was ready to turn in. She sat on deck in all weath- 
ers — even when they encountered a sharp squall and a 
downpour of rain. Lady Ilfracombe said she preferred the 
open air to the saloon cabin, and had her wicker chair 
lashed to the mast, and sat there, enveloped in her hus- 
band's rough great coat, and her own spicy little naval cap 
with a peaked brim, encouraging the efforts of the sailors, 
and chatting with her friends as if she did not know the 
name of danger. She was ahvays lively, interested and 
good tempered, and a general favorite with everybody. 
And yet the Earl, although he admired and was proud of 
his wife, did not feel so happy in her possession as he had 
hoped to do. Nora's disposition had not altered with 
marriage. AVhat woman's ever did? The prudence or 
coldness which had induced her to refuse her lover a kiss 
or an embrace before marriage, extended, in a great measure, 
to her behavior to her husband. Ilfracombe, like many 
another man in the same position, had imagined her cool- 
ness to be due to maidenly reserve, and thought that it 
would all disappear with wifehood. The greatest mistake 
men ever make. Of matrimony it might be written, as the 
terms on which we are supposed to enter heaven are writ- 


A BA^^KRUPT HEART. 


107 


ten of in the Bible, Let the flirt be a flirt still, and the 
prude be a prude still.^^ Marriage is far more likely to 
cool the ardent than to warm the cold. And the Countess 
of Ilfracombe had proved the truth of it. She did not 
actually repulse her bridegroom, but she only permitted 
his attentions; she never returned them. The Earl was 
more in love with her than ever he had been; perhaps for 
this very reason; but he could not help wishing sometimes, 
with a sigh of disappointment, that she would put her 
arms round his neck of her own accord, and press her lips 
to his, with some little show of passion. Perhaps, at such 
moments, a memory would come to him of a perfect mouth 
that had been used to cling to his with unconcealed rapt- 
ure, and a pair of white arms that would hold him so 
closely that he would unlock them by force, and tell their 
owner, jestingly, that she would squeeze him to death if she 
did not take greater care. He had enjoyed these things 
until he had wearied of them, according to the manner of 

men, and now . He almost thought, sometimes, that 

Nora was colder and more distant to him than she had 
•been before marriage, but that seemed an impossibility. 
She preserved the proprieties in public with the greatest 
care; was always courteous, and even respectful to him, be- 
fore company; listened quietly whilst he spoke, and de- 
ferred to his opinion in everything. But when they were 
alone she was just as courteous, that was all; and if he 
pressed his attentions on her, was apt to show the least 
signs of peevishness, or weariness, or sudden illness, which 
never exhibited itself on other occasions. But men in the 
flush of a new love are satisfied with very little, and Nora’s 
indilference only served to keep the flame bright and burn- 
ing. One day, as she was reclining in her wicker chair, 
surrounded by her court, she gave vent to the wish that 
they had brought her favorite sister, Susie, with them, as 
she was sure she would have enjoyed herself so much. 

“I wish we had,” acquiesced Ilfracombe, heartily; ^^and 
I wish I had brought my old chum. Jack Portland, with 
me, too. I invited him to come out with me on the ^ De- 
butante,’ but that would h^ve entailed his missing the 
Derby, and I don’t believe Jack would enter heaven, if he 
had the chance, if the Derby had yet to be run.” 


108 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


Aye ! he had the chance; which I much doubt he 
ever will have/'’ laughed Captain Knyvett. 

‘^Jack — who?'’'’ demanded Nora. 

Jack Portland, my darling,^^ replied her husband; "I 
must have mentioned him to you, surely. He^s one of my 
greatest friends — we’ve been a lot together, on the turf and 
elsewhere. Jack’s one of the most reliable prophets I ever 
came across. He can always give a fellow a straight tip; 
and he’s marvelously correct, isn’t he, Castelon ? ” 

0 yes, very good, when he likes,” acquiesced that gen- 
tleman. 

^^0 come, Castelon, that’s not fair!” cried the Earl. 

Old Jack’s always ready to oblige a chum, and I never 
knew him to name a wrong ’un. I know he’s won me pots 
of money, over and over again.” 

And lost them for you, too, Ilfracombe,” replied Mr. 
Castelon. 

Are we likely to see much of this immaculate being on 
our return to England ? ” inquired the Countess, in a rather 
tart tone. He does not appear to me to be a A^ery desirable 
acquaintance.” . 

0 my darling, you are quite mistaken I ” exclaimed Ilfra- 
combe. Poor old Jack is the best-natured fellow in the 
world! I am sure you will like him immensely. A^ou 
mustn’t think that he obtrudes his sporting proclivities on 
the drawing-room. No man knows better how to behave 
in the company of ladies than Jack Portland — indeed, he 
has rather a character for liking their society too much ! See 
the mischief you have done, Castelon! You have made my 
wife’s lip curl at the mere idea of our sporting friend.” 

‘‘ Indeed, Mr. Castelon has done nothing of the sort, 
Ilfracombe; for, as it happens, I already know Mr. Port- 
land, though I had no idea he was one of your friends.” 

^^You know Jack Portland! ” cried the Earl, with un- 
affected surprise. \yhere on earth did you meet him ? and 
why have you not spoken of him to me before ? ” 

To answer your last question first, Ilfracombe, simply 
because the subject was not sufficiently interesting to recall 
itself to my mind. And, as for where I met him, it was, of 
course, in Malta, where, as you know, I have vegetated for 
the best part of my life.” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


109 


In Malta?” echoed the Earl. ‘‘Why, of course, Jack 
has been there! It never occurred to me before, but it was 
his recommendation of the place that took me there. So I 
may almost say that I owe the happiness of my meeting 
you to him. Let me see! How long was it ago? Two 
years ? ” 

“ There or thereabouts,” said Nora, indifferently. 

“And did you not like him, Nora? Did you not think 
him a very charming man ? ” 

The Countess shrugged her shoulders. 

“ Am I to tell you the truth, or to bow to the fact that 
Mr. Portland is one of your greatest friends, Ilfracombe ? ” 
she replied. 

“ The truth, of course, darling ! I can hardly expect you 
to see everybody with the same eyes as myself; but I can- 
not imagine anybody, and especially any woman, disliking 
old Jack.” 

“ Then I’m the odd man out,” said his wife, with a 
moue. 

“Really! What did he do to offend you? I'm sure he 
must have fallen in love with you; hut you have ex- 
perienced that sort of thing too often to make it a cause of 
offense.” 

“ Is it necessary for a person to actually affront you 
in order to create a dislike ? I don’t think I saw enough of 
Mr. Portland to do him that honor. He stayed, if I re- 
member rightly, with Captain and Mrs. Loveless, in the 
Dockyard, and they brought him to see my mother. He is 
a tall, broad-shouldered fellow, is he not, with blue eyes 
and reddish hair? Well, he struck me as horsey, decidedly, 
and perhaps that was the reason I didn’t cotton to him. 
But pray don’t imagine, Ilfracombe, that I am going to 
make myself disagreeable to any friend of yours. It is 
only that I am indifferent to him. My welcome will he 
just in proportion to your wishes.” 

“ My dearest girl, I am sure of that; and when you know 
him better, you will like him as much as I do. He’s rattling 
good fun, isn’t he, Castelon?” 

“ Yes, according to our ideas, perhaps, Ilfracombe, but he 
might not suit a lady as well. Jack has drank rather more 
than he ought to have done of late years, and spoilt his 


110 


A BAN^KRUPT HEART. 


beauty in consequence. Else lie used to be one of the 
handsomest fellows on the turf.^'’ 

Is it necessary to talk about Mr. Portland any longer ? 
demanded the Countess, with a yawn behind her hand. 

Captain Knyvett, do fetch the cards from the saloon, 
and let us have a game! AYeVe been fooling all the after- 
noon away. It is time we exercised our brains a little.'’^ 
AYliat a strange thing it seems,^^ said Ilfracombe, after- 
wards, to Castelon, as they were smoking together on the 
poop, ^^that men and women see with such different eyes! 
I should have thought Jack Portland would have been an 
universal favorite with the lean sexe. He’s a fine, manly- 
looking chap, with any amount of brains, and yet Lady 
Ilfracombe, who really admires our sex more than her own 
— a regular man’s woman, she is, as any man, I think, 
would admit — can’t see anything, apparently, to like in 
him. It is incredible to me. I shall make a point of 
bringing them together as soon as we are settled at Thistle- 
mere.” 

^Hjady Ilfracombe is so thoroughly charming in every 
respect,” replied Castelon, with admirable tact, that I 
should feel inclined to trust her judgment before my own. 
It is not at all necessary that a man and his wife should 
have the same friends, or so I take it. That would entail 
a great deal of irksome duty on your part paid to women 
whom perhaps you did not like. Mr. Jack Portland is 
bound to get his full dues from so perfect a hostess as Lady 
Ilfracombe, without thrusting his company continually on 
her. And between ourselves, old fellow, I really think his 
conversation and ideas are more fit for the stables than the 
drawing-room.” 

^^No, no, I won’t have you say that,” cried the loyal 
Earl. “Jack’s a gentleman, and no man can be more. My 
wife will learn to like him for my sake. Castelon, old cha}), 
why don’t you get married ? It’s the loveliest experience 
in the world. Don’t believe all the humbug people talk 
on the subject. Only try it, and you’ll agree with me.” 

“ Perhaps I might, and perhaps I mightn’t, my boy,” re- 
plied his companion. “I expect matrimony depends a 
great deal on the woman, and we can’t all expect to draw a 
prize. You’ve drawn the lucky number, Ilfracombe, and I 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


Ill 


might get a blank; so rest satisfied with your coup de main, 
and don't persuade your friends to come a cropper in 
hopes of clearing the thorny fence, as you have. But I con- 
gratulate you, old fellow. I never saw a man so spooney 
in all my life, and it must really be a delicious sensation 
when the object is your own wife, and not that of some other 
man. By the way, now we are quite alone, may I ask you* 
what has become of Miss Llewellyn ? " 

The Earl looked round to see wha,t his wife was doing 
before he replied, in a low tone: 

0 that’s all right, old boy ! I’ve pensioned her oil hand- 
somely, and she has gone back to her friends.” 

Castelon opened his eyes. 

Really ! I shouldn’t have thought she was that sort of 
woman.” 

“ What do you mean by ^ that sort of woman ’ ? ” 

^^No offense, old chappie, be sure of that. No one ad- 
mired her more than I did. I think she is, without excep- 
tion, the most beautiful creature I ever saw, and as good as 
she is beautiful. But I fancied she was too much attached 
to you to accept a pension.” 

0 as to that,” said the Earl, rather shamefacedly, “ she 
must be provided for. I wouldn’t hear of anything else. You 
see, Castelon, you mustn’t think me a brute; but it was on the 
cards that, sooner or later, I should marry. My uncles were 
always at me about the necessity of an heir and all that sort 
of thing, and I suppose it is the penalty of inheriting a title 
that one must think of carrying it on. You know I was fond 
of the woman — very fond at one time — so was she of me, 
but it had gone on long enough. Sterndale has managed the 
business for me. I don’t know that I should have had enough 
nerve to do it myself. But it’s all happil}^ ended by this time, 
and I’m going to give up such frivolities for the future.” 

“ Of course, of course — naturally,” said his friend. 

But, when Lord Ilfracombe met his wife in the sanctity 
of their state cabin, he again alluded to the subject of Jack 
Portland. 

It’s the most extraordinary thing in the world to me, 
Nora,” he commenced, “that Jack has not told me that he 
met you in Malta. Eor I have had two letters from him 
since our marriage.'’^ 


112 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


Most likely lie did not remember my name/^ replied 
Nora. I was hardly out of the nursery then, remember.^^ 
^^What! at eighteen? Nonsense! You are not a woman 
for a man to see and forget. He has never said that he 
met your father. And that you should have never spoken 
his name! It beats me altogether.'" 

Why, you never mentioned him yourself till to-day/-" 
she retorted. Considering he is such an intimate friend of 
yours, is that not more wonderful than the other?" 

^^0 1 know such lots of men." 

^^So do I," said Nora. 

She was sitting on the side of the bed as she spoke, nurs- 
ing her knees, and looking her husband straight in the 
face. 

You talk like a fool," she continued, hotly. ‘'‘^As if a 
girl could remember every man she has met. And you have 
not mentioned people much nearer home, to me. Who is 
Miss Llewellyn ? " ' 

The question took Ilfracombe so completely by surprise, 
that he did not know what to say. 

“Miss Llewellyn!" he stammered. “Who has ever said 
anything to you about Miss Llewellyn ? " 

“ I heard you mention her name this evening to Mr. Cas- 
telon." 

“ Indeed ! What sharp ears you must have." 

“ Perhaps. But that is no answer to my question. Who 
is she?" 

“Well, if you must know, she is, orratherwas, my house- 
keeper. An interesting discovery, isn't it ? " 

“ Cela depeyid ! And is she to be our housekeeper now ? " 
“ Certainly not. That is to say, she has gone home; her 

mother was sick and wanted her " 

The Countess got off the bed, and going up to her hus- 
band, laid her hand upon his mouth. 

“ There, there, that will do," she said, quietly; “don't 
soil your soul any more on my account, for it is a matter of 
the most perfect indifference to me who she was or why she 
went. There are plenty more housekeepers to be procured, 
I suppose, in England. But don't forget what I told you 
in Malta about the pot that called the kettle black, voila 
tout.” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


113 


She gave him a little kiss, to sweeten the unpalatable 
dose, as she concluded, and the ordeal was over ; only the 
Earl would rather she had shown a little jealousy on the 
subject instead. He did not know how much, or how little, 
she had overheard of his conversation with Castelon, and 
he did not like to ask, lest she might blurt out some disa- 
greeable truths in his face. But the circumstance made 
him think a great deal more of Nell Llewellyn than he 
would otherwise have done whilst on his wedding tour. He 
wondered more than once if it were possible that Nell 
would try to make things unpleasant for him and Nora, or 
if there were any chance of a rencounter between the two 
women. Nora might overlook or ignore a liaison of the 
sort, if it were not brought beneath her immediate notice; 
but he felt sure she would hold her own — perhaps make a 
public scandal, if it became a personal affront. He had 
heard nothing from Mr. Sterndale since a letter in which 
he had assured him that his instructions, regarding Miss 
Llewellyn, should be faithfully carried out, and he could 
not expect to hear more until he met the solicitor in Eng- 
land. He tried, as far as possible, to dismiss the idea from 
his mind for the rest of the voyage, but he became restless 
and uneasy as they approached the termination of it; and 
when, towards the end of October, he found himself safely 
installed, with his wife, at Thistlemere, the first thing he 
did was to summon his old friend to render up an account 
of his stewardship. With the solicitor arrived Mr. Port- 
land. Lord Ilfracombe had not advised the Countess of 
his advent. He wanted to give them both a surprise. Per- 
haps, also, to find out for himself how far Nora had told 
the truth concerning her acquaintance with him. Ilfra- 
combe had always been perfectly frank whilst living with 
Nell Llewellyn. Under the infiuence of Nora, he was be- 
ginning to keep back things which theretofore he would 
have never dreamed of concealing. So truly do our inti- 
mate companions rule, to a great degree, our characters. 
We are told that we cannot touch pitch without being de- 
filed. So must we always derive good, or evil, from those 
we associate with. But if Lord Ilfracombe fancied he was 
a match for either his wife or Jack Portland, he was very 
much mistaken. At any rate, neither he, nor any one. 


114 


A BAKKEUPT HEART. 


could have discovered a domestic plot against his peace, 
from the perfectly natural way in which they met each 
other; for, if anything was apparent, it was an almost un- 
natural indifference on both sides. 

The Countess was in the drawing-room, when her hus- 
band entered with both men in his train. 

Nora,^^ he commenced, I bring an old friend of yours 
to offer you his congratulations on having obtained such a 
prize as myself.’^ 

Nora glanced at the two gentlemen with affected surprise. 

“ Mr. Sterndale is an old friend of yours, I know, Ilfra- 
combe,^^ she said, sweetly, “ and, therefore, if he will accept 
me as such, I trust he will consider me his friend also. 
But — turning to where Jack Portland stood bowing lowly 
before her — ‘^^this gentleman — surely I have met him 
before! Why, of course, it is the very Mr. Portland, of 
whom we spoke once on board the ^ Debutante M How 
are you, Mr. Portland? Do you remember me, after all 
this time? Did we not meet at Captain Loveless^ once, at 
a bail ? Were you not staying with them ? 

I was. Lady Ilfracombe. Mrs. Loveless is my sister. 
What a long time ago it seems. How little I imagined, 
when dear old Ilfracombe here wrote me he was engaged 
to a Miss Abinger, that it actually was the Miss Abinger 
with whom I had had the honor of dancing. But there were 
so many of you.^^ 

Dear me, yes; dozens. I have three sisters married be- 
side myself. Perhaps it was Belle or Marion, after all, 
whom you were dancing with, instead of me. We are con- 
sidered very much alike.^^ 

If you will excuse my saying so, I do not think I could 
have made a mistake. But you must have been very youns: 
at the time."” 

I was eighteen. I am twenty now,^^ laughed Nora, in 
a nervous manner. I never conceal my age, and never 
mean to. It is such folly. If a woman looks too young 
for it, all the better. If too old, it will only make a bad 
matter worse, to take off a few years. DonT you agree 
with me, Mr. Sterndale ? 

I agree with everything your ladyship says, even if it 
went against my own judgment,^’ replied the solicitor. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


115 


My goodness, you^re quite a courtier. I thought the 
law allowed men no time for cultivating the smaller 
graces. If ever I want to get a separation from Ilfra- 
combe, Mr. Sterndale, I shall come to you to make terms 
for me.’’ 

0 dear me ! ” exclaimed the solicitor, laughing, your 
ladyship must not depend on me in such a case, really. I 
have been his lordship’s man of business for years, and I 
am not sure if such an unmitigated piece of treachery 
would not rank with high treason.” 

W ell, here is dinner, which appeals to us all alike ! ” 
cried Lady Ilfracombe, as she placed her hand on the arm 
of Mr. Jack Portland, “ so let us drop all discussion, except 
that of good things, until it is over and the Earl and the 
solicitor followed her gaily to the dining-room. 

But Ilfracombe was longing to have a private interview 
with Mr. Sterndale; and, as soon as the meal was concluded, 
he asked the pardon of the others if he detained the so- 
licitor for half an hour. 

You can send us word when coffee is ready, Nora,” he 
said to his wife, as Mr. Portland held the door open for her 
ladyship to pass through; and then, with a nod to his host, 
went after her. 

As soon as they were well out of hearing, Ilfracombe 
leant over the table and said to Sterndale, in a lowered 
voice : 

1 don’t see why we need go to the library. I am not in 
a mood for accounts or anything of that sort to-night. I 
only want to ask you about Miss Llewellyn. How did she 
take the news of my marriage, Sterndale ? and is she well 
out of England ? Where did she go to ? and was she sat- 
isfied with the provision I made for her ? To tell you the 
truth, the thought of her has been bothering me a good 
deal lately. The Countess is a noble, generous girl, and 
quite up to snuff; but she is high spirited, and, if there 
were any chance of her meeting the other or hearing much 
about her, I wouldn’t answer for the consequences.” 

You need not be in the least afraid of that. Lord Ilfra- 
combe,” replied the solicitor. 

Are you sure ? Did she accept a sum down, or did you 
invest the money for her, and if so, how and where ? Is 


116 


A BANKKUPT HEAKT. 


she out of England and likely to remain so ? I daresay 
you will vote me an alarmist, Sterndale; but, you see, when 
all’s said and done, Nell was very fond of me, and women 
turn into perfect devils sometimes when they are crossed in 
such matters.” 

I repeat, my lord, that you have no cause to fear the 
least annoyance from Miss Llewellyn.” 

Thank God for that!” said the Earl, with a look of 
relief. “ And now tell me all you can about it, Sterndale. 
Was she much lipset at the idea of my giving her up? 
Had you any difficulty about it ? Or did she accept the 
inevitable, and clear out quietly?” 

Mr. Sterndale prepared himself for a conference, pre- 
vious to commencing which he rose, and, having seen that 
the dining-room door was securely fastened, sat down again 
opposite to the Earl. 

I have rather a painful duty before me, my lord — pain- 
ful, that is to say, in one sense, but, to my mind, providen- 
tial in another. Your lordship is now happily married, 
and doubtless would wish to cast even the memory of the 
past behind you.” 

‘‘It is my desire to do so — forget it ever existed, if 
possible,” said the young man, eagerly ; “ but, still, I 
feel that will not be feasible until I am assured that Miss 
Llewellyn is well provided for and in a fair way to be 
happy.” 

“Very praiseworthy and generous,” murmured the so- 
licitor, “but quite unnecessary. In the first place, my 
lord. Miss Llewellyn blankly refused to accept any settle- 
ment or provision at your hands. She took the draft which 
I submitted for approval and tore it across and fiung the 
pieces in my face. Indeed, I may say the young woman 
was exceedingly rude to me, but I can afiord to forgive it 
now.” 

“ I am sorry to hear that, Sterndale, but I suppose your 
news upset her. She was not accustomed to be rude in 
manners or speech to any of my friends. But doubtless 
she apologized. She took the settlement on reconsidera- 
tion ? ” 

“Indeed she did not. Lord Ilfracombe! She has never 
taken it ! ” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


117 


“Then how is she living asked the Earl, eagerly. 

Where is she at present ? 

“ I must prepare your lordship for a slight shock, re- 
plied the solicitor, gravely, “ for it was a shock to me. Miss 
Llewellyn is no more ! 

“ No more ! Do you mean me to understand that she is 
dead ! ” exclaimed Ilfracombe, with a look of horror. 

“ Exactly so, my lord ! The unfortunate young woman 
is certainly dead. She had an ungovernable temper, and 
it led her to a rash end. She threw herself into the 
river! ” 

The EarFs eyes were almost starting out of his head. 

“ She committed suicide, and for my sake! he exclaimed. 
“OmyGod! MyGod!^^ 

He bent his head down on his hands, and the tears 
trickled through his clasped fingers. 

“ Nell dead,^^ he kept on murmuring; “Nell under the 
water. 0 it is impossible. I cannot believe it. My poor 
Nell ! This news will wreck all my happiness.^’ 

“ Lord Ilfracombe,'’^ exclaimed Mr. Sterndale, quickly, 

I beg of you to compose yourself. What if the servants, 
or her ladyship, were to enter the room ? This unfortunate 
affair is none of your doing. You have no occasion to 
blame yourself. You did all, and more than most men 
would have done, to secure the welfare of the young person 
in question, and if she chose to fiing your kindness back in 
your face, the blame lies at her own door.” 

“Are you of it ? ” said Ilfracombe, presently, as he 
made a great effort to control his feelings. “ How did you 
hear of it ? Did you actually see and recognize her dead 
body ? ” 

“No, I cannot go so far as to say that, my lord; but I 
have every circumstantial evidence of the fact. Miss Llew- 
ellyn disappeared from Grosvenor Square, as Warrender 
can tell you, on the night of the twentieth of August, and 
has never been seen or heard of since. On that night, a 
woman threw herself into the Thames, whose description 
tallies with hers. Here is the account of the affair pub- 
lished in the next morning's papers ” — handing the Earl 
the paragraph he had cut from the Standard — “ and, on in- 
stituting every inquiry, I had no reason to doubt that the 


118 


A BAJ^KRUPT HEART. 


young woman, who either threw herself, or fell into the 
river, was our unfortuuate friend. With a view to ascer- 
taining the truth more accurately, I examined her belong- 
ings in Grosvenor Square, none of which she had taken 
with her — another fact which points conclusively, in my 
mind, to the idea of suicide — and amongst them, in her 
jewel case, I found this scrap of paper, evidently addressed 
to your lordship, and which I preserved with the view of 
delivering over to you, when you should question me as to 
the matter you left in my charge.^^ 

Saying which, the solicitor placed the scrap of paper he 
had found with Nell’s trinkets in the Earl’s hands. Ilfra- 
combe read the poor, pathetic, little message over and over 
again : Good-by, my only love. I cannot live without 
you,” and then, without comment, having folded the paper 
and placed it in his pocketbook, he rose trembling from 
the table, and staggered towards the door. 

Sterndale,” he ejaculated in a faint voice, I cannot 
speak with you about this now — some other time, perhaps 
— hut for the present I must be alone. Go to the Countess, 
there’s a good fellow, and keep her from following me. Say 
I have had a sudden summons to the stables; that there is 
something wrong with one of the horses, and leave me to 
tell my own story when I return. I won’t he long. Only 
give me a few minutes in which to overcome this fearful 
shock. You know I was fond of her, Sterndale, and I must 
feel her death a little. I never dreamt it would come to 
this — that death would part us — never, never.” 

And with his pocket-handkerchief to his eyes, the Earl 
rushed up to his own room. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Portland had been saying to the Coun- 
tess: 

“ By George! Nora, I do think you are the very cleverest 
woman I know. I always did think so, you know, and now 
I’m sure of it. No one, to see you this afternoon, would 
have imagined we had ever met before.” 

^AYell, naturally, I didn’t intend them to think so. I 
determined on that as soon as Ilfracombe told me you were 
a friend of his. What is the good of telling everybody 
everything ? It only leads to quarrels. So, as I am quite 
sure Ilfracombe has not told me everything that he has done 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


119 


before marriage, I determined he should have a quid pro 
quo. But, J ack, you must keep the secret now, for both 
our sakes, and you will let me have back my letters, won’t 
you ? ” 

Of course I will; that is, if you are so hard-hearted as 
to take my only comfort from me. But where is the good 
of it? You don’t want to read them over yourself, 
surely ? ” 

Goose ! as if I would. They are awful rubbish, from 
what I can remember. Only it has become dangerous now, 
you know, and I should never feel easy unless I had de- 
stroyed them.” 

W on’t my destroying them do as well ? ” 

“ No; because you men are so careless, and something 
might happen to you during your steeplechases, or hunt- 
ing, and then they would be found, and the news would be 
all over the shop. You tvillgiNQ them back to me. Jack, 
won’t you ? ” in a pleading tone. 

^^Did I ever refuse you anything, Nora? You shall 
have the letters, or anything else you set your heart on, 
only continue to be nice to me, as you were in Malta.” 

Then give them to me,” she said, in an earnest voice. 

“ Why, you don’t imagine I carry them about with me 
in my waistcoat pocket, do you ? I take much more care 
of them than that. They are at my London diggings, 
safely locked away in my dispatch box.” 

0 when shall you go back and fetch them ? ” exclaimed 
the Countess. 

“ That is not very hospitable of you, Nora,” said Mr. 
Portland, when I have not yet spent a day at Thistlemere. 
No, no, you mustn’t be quite so impatient as all that. You 
shall have the precious letters in good time, though why 
you cannot leave them where they have been for the last 
two years, beats me altogether.” 

You know I asked for them back before you left Malta, 
and you wouldn’t give them me,” said Lady Ilfracombe; 
^^and now it is much more important than it was then. I 
was a fool not to make my father insist on their return, 
but I was so dreadfully afraid that he would read them.” 

Ah ! that wouldn’t have done, would it ? ” returned Mr. 
Portland, carelessly. ‘‘You had better leave them with 


120 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


me, Nora. I^m their best custodian. The perusal of them 
gives me pleasure, whilst on others it might have a con- 
trary effect, eh ? 

^‘No, no, you have promised to return them to me, and 
you must keep your word,” her ladyship was replying, just 
as Mr. Sterndale entered the room and said: 

^‘ Lord Ilfracombe sends his apologies to you, my lady; 
but one of the horses requires his attention, and he has 
strolled out to the stables; but he desired me to tell you 
that he will not be absent more than a few minutes.” 


A Bankrupt Heart 


VOL. II 






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12a 


CHAPTER I. 

For seven weeks Hell Llewellyn fluctuated between life 
and death, before she was fully roused again to a sense of 
living, and its cares and responsibilities. It was on a sunny 
afternoon, in the middle of October, that she first awoke 
to the consciousness that she was herself. But she was too 
weak to be more than aware of it. The afternoon sun was 
glinting through the white blind of her bedroom window^ 
and a little breeze caused it to flap gently against the 
latticed panes. Hell lay on her bed, as weak and unreason- 
ing and incurious as a little child, and watched the tassel 
of the blind bobbing up and down, without questioning why 
she lay there, unahle to move or think. An old woman 
named Betsy Hobbs, who came in sometimes to help in an 
emergency at the farm-house, was seated by the window, 
with a large pair of knitting-needles in her hands, a ball of 
worsted at her feet, and her head sunk on her breast, en- 
joying a snooze after the labors of the day. Hell stared at 
her unfamiliar figure with the same sense of incapacity to 
understand her presence, and the same sense of utter in- 
difference to not understanding it. Her feeble sight roved 
over everything in the room with the same apathy. The 
coverlet on her bed was a colored one, and she kept on 
counting the squares, and wondering in a vague manner 
why one should be red and the next Wue. One red and the 
next blue — one red and the next blue — she kept on men- 
tally repeating to herself, until her eyes had traveled to the 
foot of the bed, over the footboard of which was thrown a. 
pink knitted shawl or kerchief, which her mother had 
bought for her just before she was taken ill, and which she 
had worn around her shoulders on the evening she had 
gone to hear Hugh Owen preach in the field. That little 
link between the past and the present recalled it all. In a 
moment she comprehended. She was no longer happy, 
innocent Hell Llewellyn, spending her young life at Pan- 
ty-cuckoo Farm, but the disgraced and degraded daughter 


124 


A BAKKKUPT HEART. 


of the house, who had crept home, a living lie, to hide her 
shame and sorrow in her mother^s bosom. The remembrance 
brought with it but one desire — one want — which expressed 
itself in a feeble cry of Mother ! At least, it was what 
Nell intended for a cry; but her voice was so faint and 
weak that Betsy Hobbs only roused from her nap, with a 
feeling of curiosity if she had heard anything. She was 
accustomed to nursing the sick, however, and was a light 
sleeper; so she hobbled up to the bedside and peered into 
her patient^s face. Sure enough, her eyes were open and 
there was reason in them. 

‘^Praise the Lord, dearie P she ejaculated, ^^youTe your- 
self agin at last.^^ 

But Nell turned her face to the wall with the same cry 
of ‘‘ Mother ! 

“ To be sure, dearie, and 111 fetch ^er in ^alf a minnit ! 
She’s only stepped down to the dairy to see ’ow things are 
goin’ on, for business ’as been sadly neglected of late. 
Sight and day — night and day — the pore dear’s bin by 
your side, longin’ to ’ear your own voice agin, and she’ll be 
overj’yed to find you in your senses. Come, drink a drop 
o’ milk, do, and then I’ll fetch ’er!” 

But Nell turned fractiously from the proffered cup and 
reiterated her cry for her mother. She was gaunt and 
emaciated to a degree. The cruel fever had wasted her 
rounded limbs and dug deep furrows beneath her eyes, and 
turned her delicate complexion to yellow and brown. She 
looked like a woman of forty or fifty, instead of a girl of 
three and twenty. As the old woman ambled out of the 
room, Nell raised her thin hands and gazed at the white 
nails and bony knuckles with amazement. Where had she 
been — what had happened to her, to alter her like that ? 
Her questions were answered by the entrance of Mrs. Llew- 
ellyn. 

0 my dear lass — my own poor lamb ! ” she exclaimed, 
as she came hurriedly to the bedside and folded her 
daughter in her arms. Praise the Lord, that you’ve taken 
a turn at last! I’ve been watching for this for days and 
days, till I began to fear it might never be! You’ve been 
main ill, my girl, and all the house nursing you through it. 
Father’s lying down on his bed. He hasn’t had his coat off 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


125 


for three nights. But you're better, my lass, you're better; 
thank God for that ! " 

"‘How long have I been ill?" asked Nell, in a faint 
voice. 

Better than six weeks — going on for seven," replied her 
mother; and it's been an anxious time for all of us! I 
thought poor Hetty would have cried herself sick last 
week, when Doctor Cowell told us we mustn't build our 
hopes too much on keeping you here. I think he will be 
surprised as any one when he hears the good news. 0 my 
lass, it would have been a sore day for more than one of 
us if we had lost you ! " 

I may go yet, mother," said Nell, looking at her 
skeleton hands; “ there's not much of me left, I'm 
thinking." 

‘^Oh, no you won't, my dear; not this time, thank God! 
1 know what these fevers are. I've seen too many of them. 
When they've burnt themselves out, they're over. And 
you're as cool as a cucumber now! You feel terrible weak, 
I know, but good feeding and care will soon set you up 
again." 

“ What a trouble I must have been to you ! " sighed Nell, 
wearily, and so unworthy of it, too. Mother, why didn't 
you let me die and make an end of it ? Life is not worth 
living at any time, and I've seen the best of mine." 

Nonsense, my girl; you talk like that because you're so 
weak, that's all! You'll feel quite different in another day 
or so. Here, just let me give you a few spoonfuls of 
this beef tea! I made it myself, so I won't take a refusal! 
There's a good maid, and now you must shut your eyes and 
go to sleep again." 

Don't leave me," murmured Nell, as she lay with her 
hand clasped in her mother's; ^^talk to me, mother! Tell 
me you are really glad that I am better, and I will try to 
live for your sake ! " 

Glad, child! Why, what are you thinking of? Glad 
to get my own lass back from the grave, as you may say ! 
I should be a nice mother if I weren't. Don't you know 
by this time that you've been my hope and pride ever since 
you was born ? Why, I've been, praying night and day to 
the Lord to spare you^ for weeks past! Aye, and not only 


126 


A BAN^KRUPT HEART. 


me — all Usk has been asking the same thing, and there^s 
been one in particular as has wearied heaven with his 
prayers for your recovery, if ever man did.” 

One in particular?” echoed the sick girl, faintly 
curious. Who was that, mother ? ” 

Why, that young saint on earth, Hugh Owen, to be 
sure! I never saw a man so unhappy as he’s been about 
you. He looks ten years older since you were taken ill. 
I)o you know, Hell, that he’s been here every minute he could 
spare from his work, kneeling by your bedside whilst you 
were raving in delirium, praying with all his heart and 
soul that God would spare your precious life to us a little 
longer. Hugh Owen has been your tenderest nurse. I’ve 
seen him sit here, without saying a word, for hours 
together, only holding you in his arms when you got a hit 
violent, and coaxing you by every means in his power to 
take a drop of wine or a spoonful of jelly. I do believe 
that you owe your life, in a great measure, to Hugh’s care 
(and so I’ve told father that, if you lived, it would be) ; for, 
though we all tried our best, no one had so much in- 
fluence over you as him, or been able to make you take 
nourishment like he could.” 

Did he hear me talk ?” asked Hell, fearfully. 

“ Hear you talk, child I W ell, pretty nearly all U sk heard 
you talk, you used to scream so loud sometimes. But it 
was all nonsense. Ho one could understand it; so you 
needn’t be afraid you told any of your little secrets. I 
couldn’t make head nor tail of what you said, nor Hugh, 
cither! But his presence seemed to comfort you, so I let 
the poor lad have his way. He was nearly broken-hearted 
when he left the farm last night, you were so terribly weak 
and low. I expect he’ll nearly go out of his mind when he 
hears the news I shall have to tell him this evening. He’ll 
offer up a grand prayer of thanksgiving before he goes to 
his bed to-night ! ” 

But, at this juncture, seeing that Hell’s weary eyes had 
closed again, Mrs. Llewellyn covered her carefully with the 
bedclothes, and went to communicate the fact of her 
improvement to the farmer. As the husband and wife were 
sitting at their meal, Hugh Owen, as usual, walked in. His 
face was very pale and his expression careworn. His first 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


127 


anxious inquiry was, naturally, for Nell. When he heard the 
great improvement that had taken place in her, and that 
Doctor Cowell had said at his last visit that she was now on 
the road to recovery, his pallid cheeks glowed with excite- 
ment. 

“God Almighty be thanked for all His goodness ! he 
said, solemnly, and then added, rapidly: “May I see her, 
Mrs. Llewellyn? Just for one moment. I will not speak 
to her if you do not think it desirable, but to see her, once 
more sensible and in her right mind, would make me so 
happy! I shall hardly be able to believe the joyful news is 
true otherwise.'"’ 

The mother looked doubtful. 

“Well, I don’t quite know how Nell would take it, my 
lad. You’ve been main good to her, I know; but it 
wouldn’t do to upset her now, and you would be the last 
to wish it.” 

“Upset her; 0 no; but I have sat by her so often during 
her illness.” 

“Aye! when she wasn’t aware of your presence; that 
makes all the difference. But,” noting the look of disap- 
pointment in the young man’s face, she added: “ I’ll just 
step up and see how matters are now; and, if Nell’s sleep- 
ing, you shall have a peep at her, in return for all your 
goodness.” 

The young man thanked her, and in a few minutes she 
came back to say that her daughter was fast asleep, and, if 
Hugh would follow her, he should see so for himself. He 
rose at once, his face radiant with joy, and crept on tip- 
toe up the stairs, and into the familiar bedroom. There 
lay Nell, prostrate in the sleep of exhaustion; her hands 
folded together on the coverlet; her head well back on her 
pillow; her mouth slightly parted; her breathing as regular 
and calm as that of an infant. At the sight, Hugh’s eyes 
filled with tears. 

“ Doesn’t she look as if she were praying; thanking God 
for His goodness to her ? ” he whispered to Mrs. Llewellyn. 
“ 0 let us pray, too. We can never thank Him enough for 
all He has done for us.” 

And he fell on his knees by the bedside, Mrs. Llewellyn 
following his example. 


128 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


^^0 Father, God, Protector, Priend,^^ said the young 
man, with tears running down his worn cheeks, what can 
we render to Thee for all Thou art to us; for all Thou doest 
for us ? We have cried to Thee in our distress, and Thou 
hast heard our cry. We wept in abject fear of loss, and Thou 
hast dried our tears. Thou has sent Thy messenger angels 
with healing in their wings, to succor this dear child of 
Thine, this dear companion of ours, and give her and us, 
alike, time to do something to prove the sense of gratitude 
we have for Thy great love to us. 0 Father, make us more 
grateful, more thankful, more resolved to live the lives 
which Thou hast given us, to Thee; more careful of the 
beautiful earthly love with which Thou hast brightened 
and made happy these lives. Amen.” 

No one could mistake the earnestness and fervor, and 
genuineness of this address, which Hugh delivered as sim- 
ply as if he had been speaking to his earthly father in his 
earthly home. Mrs. Llewellyn could not restrain mingling 
her tears with his. She told the farmer afterwards, that 
Hughes way of praying made her feel as if the Almighty 
were standing just beside them where they knelt. Softly 
as the young minister had preferred his petition, it seemed 
to have reached the sleeper^s ear, even through her dreams, 
for as his “ Amen ” fell on the air, Nell opened her eyes 
and said very softly, Thank you, Hugh.” 

The sound of her voice, and the assurance that his pres- 
ence had not disturbed her, so moved his sensitive disposi- 
tion that he sprung forward, and sinking again upon his 
knees by her side, raised her thin hand to his lips and 
kissed it several times in succession, whilst his dark eyes 
glowed with feeling. 

Thank you,” again sighed Nell. “ Good-night.” 

‘^Yes, yes, my lad, it must be good-night, for you 
mustn’t stay here,” exclaimed Mrs. Llewellyn, who was 
fearful of the effects of any agitation on her invalid; 

you’ve had your wish and seen Nell, and you’ve prayed a 
beautiful prayer, and now you must come back to the 
parlor with me and have a bit of supper. Go down to the 
kitchen, Betsy,” she continued, to the old nurse, and get 
our Nell another drop of beef tea, and I’ll be up to see after 
her as soon as the table’s cleared. Bless her heart, if she 


A BAI^KRUPT HEART. 


129 


isn^t off again. She’ll want all the sleep she can get now, 
to make up for the sore time she’s passed through. Come, 
Hugh.” 

But the young minister refused all her offers of hos- 
pitality. He felt as if food would choke him just then. 
He wanted to be alone, to think of his great and unex- 
pected joy; to thank the giver of it, over and over again. 
He walked home through the crisp October evening, wan- 
dering far afield in order to commune with his own 
thoughts, and enlarging the prayer of thankfulness with 
which his heart was bursting, by another petition, that 
Grod, who had given this woman back to him and her 
friends, would give her to him also, and altogether, as his 
wife. 

He did not see Nell again during the period of conva- 
lescence that she spent in her own room. But not one day 
passed without his presence at the farm, and his thoughts 
of her being brought to her notice by some little offering 
from his hands. One day it would be a hunch of glowing 
chrysanthemums, from the deepest bronze to the palest pink 
and purest white. The next he brought a basket of fruit : 
a cluster of hot-house grapes, to get which he had walked for 
miles, or a bunch of bananas, or anything which was con- 
sidered a dainty in Usk. Once he sent her a few verses of 
a hymn, neatly copied out on fair paper; but these Nell put 
on one side, with a smile which savored of contempt. She was 
now fairly on the road to recovery, and even Hetty, who 
had been going backwards and forwards every day, began 
to find the walk from Dale Farm was rather long, and that 
her mother-in-law needed a little more of her company. 
The services of the doctor and old Betsy Hobbs were dis- 
pensed with, and Mrs. Llewellyn found there was no longer 
any necessity for her to leave all the churning and baking 
to her farm maids, hut that she could devote the usual 
time to them herself. It was an accredited fact that Nell 
had been snatched from the jaws of death, and that her 
relatives need have no more fears on her account. Still, 
Hugh Owen continued to pay her his daily attentions, till 
she, like women courted by men for whom they have no 
fancy, began to weary of seeing the flowers and fruit, and 
books coming in every afternoon, and to cast them some- 


130 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


what contemptuously aside. It was a grand day at Panty- 
cuckoo Farm when she first came down the stairs, sup- 
ported by her father and mother, very shaky and weak, but 
really well again, and saying good-by to bed in the day- 
time, for good and all. Mrs. Llewellyn was a proud and 
happy woman when she saw her daughter installed on the 
solitary sofa which the house could boast of, swathed round 
in shawls and blankets, and a very ghost of her former self; 
but yet alive, and only needing time to make her strong 
again. 

Well, my dear lass,” she said, as she helped Nell to her 
cup of tea, I never thought, at one time, to see you on 
that sofa again, nor down-stairs at all, except it was in your 
coffin. You’ve got a lot to he thankful for, Nell. It’s not 
many constitutions that could have weathered such an ill- 
ness.” 

Nell sipped the tea she held in her hand, and wondered 
what was the use of coming hack to a world that didn’t 
want her, and which she didn’t want. But she was still 
too weak to argue, even if she would have argued such a 
subject with her mother. As the meal was in course of 
progress, a gentle tap sounded on the outer door. 

“ Now, I’ll bet that’s Hugh Owen, dear lad,” exclaimed 
Mrs. Llewellyn, briskly, as she rose to answer it. He’ll 
he main pleased and surprised to see our Nell down-stairs. 
He’s been so curious to hear when the doctor would let her 
get up, and I wouldn’t tell him, just to keep him a bit in 
suspense.” 

She opened the door as she spoke, calling out: ^^How 
are ye, Hugh, my lad ? Come in, do. We’ve got company 
to tea to-night, and you’re heartily welcome.” 

But Hugh shrunk back. 

I won’t disturb you if you’ve company, Mrs. Llewellyn,” 
he said. I only stepped over to hear how your daughter 
is this evening, and to ask her acceptance of these,” and he 
shyly held out a bouquet of hot-house flowers. 

Eh ! Hugh, but they’re very beautiful. Where ever did 
you get them ? ” said Mrs. Llewellyn. 

I’ve a friend in the florist, way up by Pontypool,” he 
answered, "^and I thought Nell might like them to make 
her room gay.” 


A BAJ^KRUPT HEART. 


131 


“ To be sure she will, and give you many thanks in re- 
turn. Come in, and give them her yourself.^^ 

0 may I ? said Hugh, as he walked gladly over the 
threshold and saw Nell lying on the couch, and holding out 
an attenuated hand to him. She looked thinner than when 
she had been confined to bed. People do, as a rule, when 
they first come down-stairs. Her cheeks were sunken and 
white as death itself, and her eyes seemed preternaturally 
large and staring. But it was Nell, and Hugh Owens’s face 
grew scarlet at the mere sight of her. 

0 Nell! he exclaimed, as he advanced quickly to grasp 
her outstretched hand, ^^this is a joyful surprise to see you 
down-stairs again! Your mother had not prepared me for 
it. Are you sure you feel none the worse for the exertion 
— that it will not do you any harm ? 

Nell was about to reply, but Mrs. Llewellyn antici- 
pated her. 

Now, my lad,’^ she exclaimed, rather tartly, donT you 
make a fool of yourself! You donT suppose, do you, that 
I would let my lass injure her health, after all the trouble 
and anxiety weNe had on her account, by letting her do 
anything rash? Don’t you make any mistake about it, 
Hugh! What Nell’s mother don’t foresee for her, no one 
else will, let alone a stripling like yourself.” 

0 Mrs. Llewellyn! ” exclaimed the young man, turning 
all kinds of colors, I am sure you must know — you cannot 
think that I would presume — who knows better than I how 
you have nursed and watched over her ? — only I — I — the 
natural anxiety, you know ” 

^^0 yes, my lad, I know all about it! You needn’t 
stammer in that fashion, nor take the trouble to explain, 
and I’ve no call to find fault with you, either, for you’ve 
been the kindest friend poor Nell has had in her sickness, 
and the most thoughtful, not excepting her own sister. But 
don’t fear but what she’s well looked after, though I hope 
the day is not far distant, now, when she’ll look after 
herself!” 

^^And so do I,” said young Owen. ‘^You’re looking 
bravely, Nell, considering what you’ve gone through! It’s 
been a sore time with you. Please God it may be the 
last!” 


132 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


Mother tells me youVe been very good to me through 
it all, Hugh,^^ replied Nell, in a low voice, ‘^and prayed for 
my recovery scores of times. You meant it kindly, I know, 
though, perhaps, whilst you were about it, it would have 
been better to have asked the Lord to let me go.’^ 

Mrs. Llewellyn, seeing Nell was in good hands, had 
wandered away after some of her household arrangements 
and left them by themselves. 

^•No, Nell, no! not whilst He has work for you to do 
here and permits you to remain. Besides, think what a 
grief it would have been to your father and mother and 
sister — and to me, if you had died! AVe could not have 
easily filled your place, Nell. You mustn'^t be sorry because 
you have been spared to make us happy. And why should 
you want to go so soon? You are young and beautiful — 
you don^t mind an old friend like me telling you that, do 
you ? — and have all your life before you. It is unnatural 
that you should be loath to live. It can only be your 
extreme weakness that makes you say so ! 

If you knew me better, Hugh, you would not talk like 
that. My life is past — not to come, and there seems noth- 
ing (that I can see) for me to do. I don^t want to look 
back, and the future is a blank — a dark, horrible uncer- 
tainty, in which I can discern no good in living. I shall 
help mother in the farm-house work, of course, now I have 
come home, but if will not be any pleasure to me — it is so 
different from what I have been accustomed to; and, when 
alhs said and done, a dairymaid would do it far better than 
I. I have grown beyond it, in fact (though you mustn't 
tell mother I said so, for all the world) — and so — and so — I 
think you are my friend, Hugh, and I tell you the truth — I 
would much rather have died ! " 

The young man looked distressed. He guessed there 
was more behind this statement than Nell would confess. 
But he replied to her appeal energetically. 

‘^Your friend, Nell? You may do more than thinh it. 
You may regard it as an undoubted fact. I only wish I 
could, or I dared, make you understand how much I am 
your friend! And as for there being no work for you to 
do, except household drudgery, 0 if you will listen to me, 
I can tell you of glorious work that lies close to your hand 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


133 


—work that would bring you both peace and happiness. 
Will you let me show it you, dear Nell? Will you listen 
to me whilst I point it out to you ? 

Another time, Hugh, not just now, thank you, for my 
brain is still too weak to understand half I hear. When I 
am stronger and able to take an interest in things again, 
you shall talk to me as much as you like! For I am very 
grateful to you for all your goodness to me, Hugh, and shall 
be glad to return it in any way I can.” 

So Hugh left her with a heart brimming over with con- 
tent and a great hope springing up in it for the future. 


134 


CHAPTER 11. 

Such of the villagers of Usk who met Hugh Owen dur- 
ing the few days that succeeded this interview, spoke to 
each other with surprise, of the alteration that had taken 
place in his demeanor. The sober, grave young minister, 
who had seldom smiled, and usually appeared too wrapped 
in his own thoughts to take much part in what went on 
before him, was now to be seen with a beaming counte- 
nance and an animated welcome for all whom he met. 

“ Why, farmer,^^ quoth one worthy to Mr. Owen, but 
what’s come to yon lad of yourn, the minister? Is he 
going to be elected an elder, or is he thinking of getting 
spliced ? ” 

Spliced ? ” roared the farmer, who, notwithstanding his 
pride in his learning and attainments, cherished rather a 
mean opinion of his eldest son, as a man ; spliced ! The 
Lord save us, no. Where would Hugh get the courage to 
ask a lass to have him ? He can’t so much as look them in 
the face, and when his mother or Hetty brings one of the 
neighbor’s girls in for a bit of a talk, he sneaks out at the 
back door with his tail between his legs, for all the world 
like a kicked cur. Married ! Hugh will never be married. 
He wouldn’t know what to do with a wife if he’d get one, 
not he. He’s a minister, is Hugh; just that and nothing 
more. What makes you ask such a thing, Ben ? ” 

“ AVhy, because I met him near Thomson’s patch this 
afternoon, with his mouth one grin, and talking to himself 
as if he was preaching. ^ Why, minister,’ I says, are you 
making up our next sermon?’ and he says, ^No, Ben,’ he 
says, ^ I’m trying over a thanksgiving service for myself.’ 
And he smiled as if some one had left him a fortin.” 

And yesterday,” interposed a woman, when my little 
Han ran across the road, and fell down and whimpered a 
bit, as children will, Hugh he was after her in a minute, 
and picked her up, and there! he did kiss her as I never 
see. Han, she didn’t know what to make of it, and stopped 


A BAKKKUPT HEART. 


135 


crying from sheer surprise; and when I called out: ^That^s 
right, minister, nothing like getting your hand in for nurs- 
ing," he reddened; lor! just like my turkey 'cock when the 
lads throw stones at him. "" 

“Well, my woman, ye needn’t think he’s going to nurse 
any of his own for all that. Hugh is too much of a scholar 
to bear the noise of children in the house. If Hetty ever 
gets any little ones, I expect he’ll get another place for 
himself. He said the other night that the old farm would 
never seem like the same again if there was babies in it.” 

“ He’s up a deal at Panty-cuckoo, I hear,” said the first 
speaker. 

“0, aye! that’s all in his own line,” replied the farmer. 
“ The poor lass up there has been mortal bad, nearly dead, by 
my missus’ account, and Hugh’s been praying with her and 
for her, and such like. And his prayers have been heard, it 
seems; for my daughter-in-law says her sister is down-stairs 
again, and in a fair way to mend. I expect she brought 
the fever from London town with her. We’re not used to 
have such fads in Usk. A young lass stricken down like 
an old woman. ’Twas an ugly sight, and I’m main glad 
for the Llewellyns’ sake, as she’s been spared. ’Twould 
have been a sad coming home, else.” 

“That it would,” said his friend Ben; “and I expect it 
was thinking over the prayers he has put up for her, as 
made the minister so smiling this afternoon. Well, he have 
cause to be proud, and he do pray beautiful, to be sure. 
My old woman say he bawl them so loud, that if the Lord 
can’t hear him, it’s no manner of use any of us trying for 
ourselves. Well, morning to ye, farmer,” and off went Ben 
on his own business. 

Hugh Owen would not have been over-pleased could he 
have heard them discussing his private feelings after this 
fashion; but luckily for him, he did not hear them. It is 
lucky for all of us when we do not hear what our neighbors 
say of us behind our backs. We should not have an ac- 
quaintance left us in the world if we did. But the young 
minister went on his way, little dreaming that any one 
guessed the sweet, sacred hope which he was cherishing in 
his heart of hearts, and which he only waited for Nell’s com- 
plete convalescence to confide to her. The time for doing so 


13G 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


arrived (for him) only too soon, and often, afterwards, he 
wished he had been content to nurse his love for her in secret. 

It was, one day, when she was down-stairs again, looking 
so much older since her illness, that jDeople who had only 
known her in London would hardly have recognized her, 
that Hugh asked Nell if she would grant him an hour^s 
conversation. Even then she did not think the request was 
made for more than friendship; for she had spoken to 
Hugh Owen of her desire to train herself for better things 
than farm work, that she might be able, perhaps, to 
keep a comfortable home for her parents when they were 
past labor. This appeared to Nell the only ambition that 
could give her any interest in life again — the idea that she 
would repay, in some measure, her father’s and mother’s 
great love for her. Hugh might have thought of some- 
thing or heard of something, so she granted him the inter- 
view he asked for gladly, and received him with a kind 
smile and an outstretched hand, which he grasped eagerly 
and detained long. 

^^You are quite well again now, Nell,” he said, as he 
looked into her face, which was still so beautiful, though 
pale and worn. 

^^Yes, quite well, Hugh, thank you,” she replied. 
walked across the park this morning to see Sir Archibald’s 
old housekeeper, Mrs. Hody, and had quite a long chat with 
her. The family is not coming down for Christmas this 
year, she tells me, but have put it off till the cub-hunting 
begins, and then the Hall will be full. She gave me a 
clutch of golden pheasants’ eggs. I am going to set them 
under one of our hens. Don’t you like golden pheasants, 
Hugh? I think they are such lovely creatures! ” 

like and admire all God’s creatures, Nell, and cannot 
understand any one doing otherwise. I well remember 
your love for animals as a child, and how you smacked my 
face once for putting your kitten up on the roof of the 
stable, where she couldn’t get down.” 

"•Did I? That was very rude! But I’m afraid, from 
what I can remember, that I always treated you rather 
badly, poor Hugh, and encroached upon your kindness to me ! 
You have always been good to me, and, lately, most of all. 
Mother believes I owe my life to you ! ” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


137 


no, Nell! you owe it to the dear God, who would 
not see us all plunged into despair by your loss — I, most of 
all I But if you really think you owe me, ever so little, you 
can return it a hundred-fold if you will ! 

Nell turned toward him eagerly. 

“ 0 Hugh! how? Tell me and I will do it! DonT think 
I have so many friends that I can afford to undervalue your 
friendship. I have very few friends, Hugh — very, very 
few ! said the girl, with a quivering lip. 

How can you repay me ? repeated the young man, 
musingly. Is it possible you do not guess ? Nell, do you 
know — have you ever thought why I lead such a lonely 
life, why I have not married like Will? My brother is five 
years younger than myself, and most of the lads in Usk are 
thinking of getting a wife as soon as they can make 
their pound or thirty shillings a week. I make four times 
that as a minister, Nell; and most girls would think me well 
able to keep them in comfort and respectability. Yet I 
have never given a thought to one of them — why f ” 

Because youTe a minister, I suppose,^^ replied Nell, 
and all your mind is set upon your chapel and sermons 
and the open-air preaching. IsnT that it ? — with a shy 
glance upwards to see how he took the suggestion. 

But Hugh only sighed and turned away. 

No, no ! why should that be it ? Because I’m a minister 
and want to do all I can for God whilst I live, am I the less 
a man, with less of a man’s cravings for love and compan- 
ionship? No, Nell; there is a reason for it, but a very dif- 
ferent one from what you imagine. The reason I have 
never given a thought to marriage yet, is because, when I 
was a lanky, awkward lad, there was a little maid whom I 
used to call my sweetheart — who used to let me carry her 
over the boulders in the river — to go with her blackberrying 
— to walk beside her as she went to and came from church. 
Though, as we grew up, I was separated from that little 
maid, Nell, I never forget her, and I never shall. No other 
will take her place with me ! ” 

0 don’t say that, Hugh, pray don’t say that ! ” cried 
Nell, with visible agitation. You mustn’t! It is folly — 
worse than folly, for that little maid will never be yours 
again — never — never! ” 


138 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


She uttered the last words with so deep a sigh that it 
sounded almost like a requiem over her departed innocent 
childhood. But Hugh would not accept it as such. 

“ But why, dear Nell ? he questioned. We have met 
again, and we are both free! What objection can there be 
to our marriage, if you have none? I would not hurry you. 
You should name your own time, only let us be engaged. I 
have told you that I can keep you in comfort; and if part- 
ing with your parents is an obstacle. 111 consent to anything 
you think best. Only donl send me away without hope. 
You will take all the spirit out of my life and work if you 
do. I think your people like me — I donl anticipate any 
trouble with them, but the word that is to make me happy 
must come from your lips, Nell — from yours alone!” 

It can never come from them!” answered Nell, sadly. 
Don’t say that, my little sweetheart of olden days ! 0 

Nell, if you only knew — if I could only make you under- 
stand — how I have kept your image in my heart all these 
years — how your face has come between me and my duties, 
till I’ve had to drive it away by sheer force of will ! When 
I found you had come back to Usk, I thought God had 
sent you expressly for me. Don’t say, now, after all my 
hopes and longings to meet you again — after you have come 
back from the grave to me, Nell — don’t say, for God’s sake, 
that it has been all in vain ! ” 

He bowed his head upon his outstretched arm as he 
spoke, and Nell knew, though she could not see, that he was 
weei^ing. 

“ What can I say to you, Hugh ? ” she began, after a 
pause. I do love you for all your goodness to me, but not 
in that way. I cannot be your wife. If you knew me as 
well as I know myself, you would never ask it, for I am not 
fit for it, Hugh. I am not worthy!” 

The young man raised his head in astonishment. 

Not worthy ? What do you mean ? You, who are as 
far above me as the stars in heaven! It is / who have no 
right to aspire to be your husband — a rough country clod 
like me — only — only — I would love you with the best, Nell, 
if I could but make you believe it! ” 

I do believe it, Hugh, and I am sorry it should be so,, 
because my love for you is so ditferent from yours. I re- 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


139 


gard you as a dear friend. I have no other love to give 
you ! 

^‘You care for some other man/’ said Hugh, with the 
quick jealousy of lovers. ^‘^You are engaged to be mar- 
ried! 0 why did you not tell me so before? Why have 
you let me go on seeing you — talking with you and 
longing for you, without giving me one hint that you had 
bound yourself to marry another man? It was cruel of 
you, Nell — very, very cruel! You might have had more 
mercy on an unfortunate fellow who has loved you all his. 
life! ” 

Nell shook her head. 

^^But I’m not bound to marry another man. I shall 
never marry!” she said, in a low voice. 

Then why are you so hard on me ? Tell me the reason,. 
Nell! There must be a reason for your refusal. You owe 
me so much for the pain you’ve made me sutfer ! ” 

0 hoio can I tell you ? What good would it do you to 
hear ? ” she exclaimed, passionately. Cannot you under- 
stand that there may be a hundred things in a girl’s lifo 
that make her feel indisposed to marry the first man who 
asks her ? ” 

Perhaps so,” he said, mournfully; I know so little of 
girls or their feelings. But I think you might give me a- 
better reason for your refusal than that you are determined 
not to marry.” 

Can I trust you with the story of my life ? ” she asked^ 
^^0 yes, I’m sure I can. You are good and faithful, and 
you would never betray my confidence to father or mother 
or Hetty, or disgrace me in the eyes of the world.” 

Hugh Owen grew pale at the idea, but he answered: 

Disgrace you! How can you think it for a moment ? 
I would sooner disgrace myself. But how could I do it,. 
Nell ? What can you have ever done to make you speak 
like that ? ” 

I’ve done what the worst woman you’ve ever met has 
done! Hugh, you have forced the truth from me! Don’t 
blame me if it hurts you. I am not a good girl, like Hetty 
or Sarah Kingston or Rachel Grove. I’m not fit to speak 
to any one of them. I have no right to be at Panty-cuckoo 
Farm. If father knew all, perhaps he’d turn me out again. 


140 


A BAI^^KRUPT HEART. 


I — I — \i2iYQ— fallen, Hugh! And now you know the 
worst ! 

The worst seemed very bad for him to know. As the 
terrible confession left her, he turned his dark, thoughtful 
face aside and bit his lips till the blood came; but he did 
not say a word. Nell had told him the bitter truth almost 
defiantly; but the utter silence by which it was succeeded did 
not please her. What right had this man, who had worried 
her into saying what she had never said to any other creat- 
ure, to sit there and upbraid her by his silence ? She felt 
as if she wanted to shake him. 

Speak! speak! she cried, at last, impatiently; ^^say 
what you like; call me all the bad names you have ever 
heard applied in such cases, but say something, for good- 
ness^ sake! Have you never heard of such a thing before ? 
Have none of the girls in IJsk ever made a false step in their 
lives ? DonT sit there as if the news had turned you to 
stone, or you will drive me mad ! 

Then he raised his white, strained face and confronted 
her. 

My poor, dear girl,^^ he said, who am I that I should 
condemn you ? I am far too conscious of my own beset- 
ting sins. But how did this awful misfortune happen ? 
Who was the man ? Has he deserted you ? WonT you tell 
me, Nell?^^ 

‘‘It happened soon after I went to London,” she an- 
swered, in a more subdued voice. I was very young at 
the time, you know, Hugh, and very ignorant of the world 
and the world’s ways. He — he — was a gentleman, and I 
loved him and he persuaded me. That is the whole story, 
but it has broken my heart.” 

But where is this ^ gentleman ’ now. Cannot he be 
induced to make you reparation ? ” asked Hugh, with set 
teeth. 

^^Keparation! What reparation can he make ? Ho you 
mean marriage ? What gentleman would marry a poor 
girl like me — a common farmer’s daughter? And if it 
were likely, do you suppose that I would stoop to become the 
wife of a man who did not want to marry me — who did so 
on compulsion? You don’t know me, Hugh! ” 

^^But, Nell — my dear Nell — do you mean to tell me that 


A BAi^KRUPT HEART. 


141 


this inhuman brute seduced you and then deserted you ? 
What have you been doing since, Nell ? Where have you 
been living ? I thought you came here from service at the 
Earl Ilfracombe^s ? 

^^So I did.^^ 

“ And you were with him for three years? 

^‘1 was,^^ replied Nell, who felt as if her secret were being 
drawn from her, bit by hit. 

Then you had a shelter and a home. 0 Nell, do you 
mean to tell me that you did this thing of your own free 
will, knowing that it could not last nor end lawfully ? 
When you had a refuge and an honorable service, did you 
still consent to live in concubinage with this gentleman, 
knowing he only kept you as a toy which he could get rid 
of whenever the whim suited him ? 

“ I did ! she cried, defiantly, if you will have the truth, 
the whole truth and nothing but the truth — there it is! I 
loved him and I lived with him of my free consent. It 
was my heaven to live with him. I never regretted it. I 
only regretted when it came to an end I 

0 Nell!^'’ he said, with a sob in his throat, I thought 
higher of you than that I 

His evident misery touched her. 

“Hugh, how can I make you understand?” she cried. 
“ I believed it was forever. I knew we could never be mar- 
ried, because he was so much above me, hut I thought — he 
told me — that we should never part. I considered myself 
his wife — I did, indeed — and when I was undeceived, it 
nearly killed me! ” 

And, breaking down for the first time, Nell burst ink 
tears. 

“There, there! donT cry,” said Hugh, wearily. “Ko^ 
member, your mother might come in at any moment and 
ask the reason of your tears. Try and restrain yourself. 
Your sad secret is safe with me, rely on that. Only let us 
consider: is there really no remedy for your trouble?” 

“ How can there be ? He is married ; that is why I am 
here. For three years I was the happiest woman under the 
sun. He is a rich man, and he gave me more than I ever 
desired, not that I cared for anything in comparison with his 
love ! Ah, if he had only left me that, I would have begged 


142 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


in the streets by his side and been happy! But it all came 
to an end. He had gone away for a little while, and I had 
not the least idea that he was not coming back again. I 
was only longing and hoping for his return; and then, one 
day, his lawyer called to tell me that my dar — I mean, that 
he was going to marry some lady, and I could be nothing 
ever to him again. Hugh, it drove me mad! I didn^t 
know what I was doing. I rushed out of the house and 
threw myself into the river ! ” 

Merciful God ! exclaimed the young man, losing all 
control over himself. 

“I did. Father and mother think I left service in a 
regular way; but they don^’t know in London where I^m 
gone. They never saw me again. I daresay they think I^m 
drowned. Was it very wicked, Hugh ? I did so long to 
die! IsnT it funny that first I should have thrown myself 
into the water and been picked out again and then had 
this bad illness, and still I canT die ? Why wonT God let 
me end it all ? 

Because He designs you for better things, my poor 
Hell,^^ said her companion. 

I don’t think so. Better things are not in my way. I 
believe I shall die a violent death, after all. I remember 
some time ago — ah, it was at some races he took me to — a 
gypsy told my fortune, and she told me the same thing, 
that I should come to a violent end. It little matters to 
me as long as it gives me forgetfulness and rest.” 

‘^You mustn’t talk like that,” said Hugh, reprovingly; 
we must all die in God’s time, and it is our duty to wait 
for it. But do you mean to say that this man has cast you 
off without a thought, Hell ? ” 

^‘0 no! He offered, or his lawyer did, to settle money 
on me, but 1 would not take it. What did I want with 
money without him 9 ” 

You did right to refuse it. Money, coming from such 
a source, could have brought no blessing with it. But 
surely you do not lament the loss of this scoundrel, who, 
not content with betraying you, has left you, in this heart- 
less manner, for another woman ? ” 

But no true woman ever let another man abuse her lover, 
however guilty he might be, without resenting it. Least 


A BANKKUPT HEAKT. 


143 


of all women was Nell Llewellyn likely to stand such a 
thing. 

How dare you call him by such a name ? she cried, 
angrily. Whatever he may have done, it is not your place 
to resent it. I am nothing to you. He is not a scoundrel! 
There never was a more honorable, kind-hearted, generous 
creature born. He would never have deserted me if it had 
not been for his lawyer, who was always dinning into his 
ears that, with such a property, it was his duty to marry. 
And the woman, too, whom he has married — she inveigled 
him into it — I know she did. 0 Hugh, if I could only kill 
her, how happy I should be! If I could be in the same 
room with her for five minutes with a knife in my hand 
and stab her with it to the very heart, and see her die — die 
— with pain and anguish, as she has made my heart die, I 
think I should be happy !^^ 

Nell, you shock and terrify me!^^ exclaimed the young 
man. Do you know what you are saying ? Do you know 
that, in harboring such feelings, you are as guilty as if you 
had committed the crime itself ? What has this poor lady 
done to injure you that you should cherish such animosity 
against her ? 

What has she done 9 ” echoed Nell, fiercely. Why, she 
has taken my lover (the man whom I adored) from me — 
torn him from my arms! She has destroyed my happiness 
— my life ! Made the world a howling wilderness. Left 
my heart bare and stripped and empty. And I would make 
her die a thousand deaths for it if I could. I would tear 
her false heart from her body and throw it to the dogs 
to eat ! 

NelLs eyes were hashing; her head was thrown back de- 
fiantly in the air as she spoke; her teeth were clinched; she 
looked like a beautiful, blood-thirsty tigress, panting to 
fasten on her prey. But Hugh Owen saw no beauty in her 
attitudes or expression. He rose hastily from his chair 
and moved toward the door. His action arrested her 
attention. 

Stop ! she cried. Where are you going ? Why do 
you leave me alone ? 

Because I cannot bear to listen to you whilst you blas- 
pheme like that, Nell — because it is too dreadful to me to 


144 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


hear you railing against the wisdom of God, who has seen 
fit to bring you to a sense of the life you were leading, by 
wresting it from your grasp. You have called me your 
friend. So I am; but it is not the act of a friend to en- 
courage you in such vindictive feelings. I could remain 
your friend, though I know you guilty of every weakness 
common to human nature; but I dare not take the hand of a 
woman who deliberately desires the death of a fellow-creat- 
ure. Depend upon it, Nell, that this unfortunate lady, who 
has married the man who behaved so basely to you, will 
have enough trouble without your wishing her more. Were 
it justifiable to harbor the thought of vengeance on any 
one, yours might, with more propriety, be directed towards 
him who has probably deceived his wife as much as he 
deceived you.^^ 

“ If that is the spirit in which you receive my confidence,” 
said Nell, hotly, I wish I had never confided in you. Per- 
haps the next "thing you will consider it right to do will be 
to proclaim my antecedents to the people of Usk — make 
them the subject of your next sermon, maybe! 1 am sure 
they would form a most edifying discourse on the wicked- 
ness of the world (and London world in particular), espe- 
cially when the victim is close at hand, to be trotted out, in 
evidence of the truth of what you say!” 

Hugh raised his dark, melancholy eyes to her reproach- 
fully. 

Have I deserved that of you, Nell ? ” he asked. 

“ I don^t care whether you have or not. I see very plainly 
that I have made a fool of myself. There was no occasion 
for me to tell you anything; but I fancied I should have 
your sympathy, and blurted it out, and my reward is to be 
accused of blasphemy. It is my own fault; but now that 
you have wrung my secret from me, for pity's sake 
keep it ! ” 

“ 0 Nell! how can you so distrust me? Your secret is as 
sacred with me as if you were in your grave. What a brute 
you must think me to imagine otherwise! ” 

“1 don't know,” she answered, wearily; I have no faith 
in anybody or anything now. Why should you behave 
better to me than the rest of the world has done ? No, 
don't touch me! "as he approached her, holding out his 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


145 


hand; ^^your reproaches have turned all my milk of human 
kindness into gall. Go away, there’s a good man, and leave 
me to myself. It is useless to suppose you could understand 
my feelings or my heart. You must have gone through the 
mill, as I have, before you do.” 

At least, Nell, you will let me remain your friend,” he 
said, in a voice of pain. 

“No, no! I want no friends — nothing! Leave me with 
my memories! You cannot understand them, but they are 
all that remain to me now! Go on serving God, devoting 
all your time and your energies to Him, and wait till He 
gives you a blow in the face, like mine, and see what you 
think of His loving kindness then! It’ll come some day, 
for heaven doesn’t appear to spare the white sheep any 
more than the black ones. We all get it, sooner or later. 
When you get yours, you may think you were a little hard 
on me ! ” 

“ I think I have got it already,” murmured poor Hugh, 
half to himself. “ Good-bye, Nell! ” 

“ 0 go, do ! ” she cried, impetuously, “ and never come 
here again. After what you have said to-day, your presence 
can only be an extra pain to me, and I have enough of that 
already. Go on with your praying and preaching and don’t 
think of me. I sha’n’t come to hear any more of it. It 
does me no good, and it might do me harm. It might 
make my hand unsteady,” she continued, with a significant 
glance, “ when the time comes and it has that knife in it I ” 
She laughed, mockingly, in his face as she delivered this 
parting shot, and Hugh Owen, with a deep sob in his 
throat, turned on his heel and walked quickly away from 
Panty-cuckoo Harm. 


146 


CHAPTEE III. 

The Countess of Ilfracombe had had no desire to meet 
Mr. Portland again; in fact, she would have declined the 
honor, had she not been afraid of exciting the suspicions of 
the Earl; and she had not been under the same roof with 
him for more than a few days before she was heartily sorry 
that she had not done so. Nora was a flirt; there was no 
question of that. She could keep a dozen men at her feet 
at the same time, and let each of them imagine he was the 
favored individual. But she was not a fool. She had a 
countess’ coronet on her head, and she had no intention of 
soiling, or risking the treasure she had won. Mr. Jack 
Portland was, as the reader will have guessed, the same ad- 
mirer of whom Nora had spoken to Ilfracombe before their 
marriage, as having hair of the goldenest golden ” hue, 
and who was the only man for whose loss she had ever shed 
a tear. The Earl had been a little jealous at the time, but 
he had forgotten the circumstance long ago. When the 
Countess heard she was destined to meet her old flame 
again, and as the intimate friend of her husband, she had 
felt rather afraid lest her heart should ache a little from 
the encounter. But the first glance at him had dispelled 
this idea. Two years is not a long time in reality, but it is 
far too long to indulge in continual dissipation with im- 
punity. It had wrought havoc with the charms of Mr. 
Jack Portland. His manly figure had begun to show signs 
of embonpoint. His complexion was very fiorid, and there 
were very dropsical-looking bags under his bloodshot eyes, 
and sundry rolls of fiesh rising above the back of his collar, 
which are not very attractive in the eyes of ladies. His 
goldenest golden ” hair had commenced to thin on the 
top, and his heated breath was too often tainted with the 
fumes of alcohol. The habits he had indulged in had de- 
stroyed the little modesty Mr. Portland had ever possessed, 
and he was so presuming in his words and looks that Nora 
had been on the point, more than once, since he had come 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


147 


down to Thistlemere, of telling him to hold his tongue, or 
leave the house. But, then, there were those unfortunate 
letters of hers which he retained, and the importance of 
the contents of which, perhaps, she exaggerated. The fact 
is that, in the days when Mr. Portland came to Malta to 
stay with the Lovelesses, he and Nora had made very fierce 
love to each other. There was no denying that, and the 
young lady herself had never pretended to be a model of 
all the domestic virtues. Her father had been very angry 
with her, and threatened to send her to England to a 
boarding school. But the mischief had been done by the 
time Sir Richard discovered it. People generally lock the 
door after the steed has been stolen. Not that it had gone 
quite so far with Miss Nora Abinger as that; but a great 
deal of folly had passed between her and handsome Jack 
Portland; a good many secret meetings had taken place, 
and many letters written. 0 those letters! those written 
protestations of eternal fidelity; those allusions to the past; 
those hopes for the future; how much mischief have they 
not done in this world. We talk of women^s tongues; they 
might chatter to all eternity, and not bring one-half the 
trouble in their train, as their too ready pens create. Mr. 
Portland, not being approved of by the Admiral, had found 
his visits to the house not so welcome as they might have 
been, and so the lovers resorted to writing as a vent for 
their feelings, and perhaps wrote more than they really 
felt — certainly more than they cared to think about, or 
look back upon. Nora positively shivered when she 
thought what might, or might not be, in those letters 
which Mr. Portland had promised to deliver up to her, as 
soon as he returned to town. Meanwhile, she was on ten- 
terhooks and afraid, to a degree, of olfending the man who 
held such a sword of Damocles over her head, and pre- 
sumed, on his power, to treat her exactly as he chose: with 
coldness or familiarity. But if she attempted to resent his 
conduct, Mr. Portland could always give her a quiet hint 
on the sly, that she had better be very polite to him. So 
her life, on first coming to her husband^’s home, was not 
one of roses. She could remember the time when she had 
believed she loved Jack Portland, but she wondered at her- 
self for having done so, now. Perhaps it was entirely the 


148 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


alteration which had taken place in himself, but more 
likely that her taste had refined, and become more exclu- 
sive with the passing years. At any rate, his present con- 
duct towards her, in its quiet insolence and presumption, 
made her loathe and hate him. She wondered, sometimes, 
that her husband did not perceive the aversion she had for 
his chosen friend; but Ilfracombe had been very subdued 
and melancholy since the day of their arrival. As Nora 
was so new to English society, and could not be presented 
at Court till the following spring, they had decided to pass 
their first Christmas very quietly, the Dowager Lady Il- 
fracombe, and the EarFs two sisters. Lady Laura and Lady 
Blanche IDevenish, being, with the exception of the obnox- 
ious Jack Portland, the only guests at Thistlemere. The 
Ladies Devenish were not disposed to make her life any 
easier than it needed to be to the youthful Countess. In 
the first place, they were both considerably older than their 
brother, and resented Nora^s twenty years, and her vivacity 
and independence as an affront to themselves. She ought 
to have been humbler, in their opinion, and more alive to- 
the honor that had been accorded her. To hear her talk- 
ing to the Earl on terms of the most perfect familiarity, 
and Just as if he had been a commoner, like her own 
people, offended them. And then they considered that Il- 
fracombe should have married into the aristocracy, and 
chosen a woman as high born as himself. So they held 
their heads high ” (as the servants would have said) in con- 
sequence, and elevated their eyebrows at Koran’s repartees, 
when she was conversing with gentlemen, and frowned at 
her boldness in giving her opinion, especially if it hap- 
pened to clash with their own. The Dowager Countess did 
not agree with her daughters. She thought Kora a very 
clever, smart and fashionable woman, and quite capable of 
filling the position to which her son had raised her, and 
supporting her title with dignity. 

^AYell, I donT agree with you, mamma,” said Lady 
Blanche; I consider she is far too forward in her man- 
ners with gentlemen. Pm sure the way in which Mr. 
Portland leans over her when she is singing is quite dis- 
gusting! I wonder Ilfracombe does not take some notice 
of it. And what could be more undignified than her Jump- 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


149 


ing up last evening to show Lord Babbage what she calls the 
^Boston lurch'? Such a name, too! I think some of her 
expressions are most vulgar. I heard her tell Ilfracombe 
that some place they went to together was ^ confoundedly 
slow.' Fancy a lady swearing ! If those are to be the man- 
ners of the new aristocracy, commend me to the old ! " 

^^Well, my dear," said her easy-going mother, ^“^you 
know that times are altered from what they were. Now 
that so many of our noblemen are marrying American 
heiresses for money, you must expect to see a difference. 
Look at the Duke of Mussleton and Lord Tottenham. 
One married a music-hall singer and the other somebody a 
great deal worse. Young men will have their own way in 
these days. We must be thankful that Ilfracombe has 
chosen a nice, lady-like, intelligent girl for his wife. For 
my part, I like Nora, and think she will make him very 
happy. And " — lowering her voice — “ you know, my dear 
girls, that, considering the dreadful life he led before and 
the aioful creature he introduced into his house, we really 
should be very thankful he has married at all. Mr. Stern- 
dale was afraid, at one time, that nothing would break that 
business olf. But I feel sure Ilfracombe has forgotten all 
about it. He seems quite devoted to his wife." 

‘‘Do you really think so, mamma?" asked Lady Laura. 
“ I think you are very short-sighted. Blanche and I have 
often said we were afraid he doesn't care a pin for her. 
Just see how melancholy and ‘low-spirited he seems! He 
goes about with a face like a hatchet. I asked Nora yes- 
terday what on earth was the matter with him — if he were 
ill — and she replied she was sure she didn't know. Such an 
indifferent answer, it struck me, for a young wife! But, 
really, one does not know what to make of the girls nowa- 
days" They are quite different from what they were a few 
years ago. I am sure of one thing, that Nora has no sense 
of the responsibility of marrying into the aristocracy. I 
heard her once say that she would just as soon Ilfracombe 
had been a tradesman ! " 

“0 that must have been meant for impertinence!" ex- 
claimed Lady Blanche. “ What did she marry him for, 
then ? I am sure she can't love him. She has told me she 
was engaged to six men at one time! Really, mamma, her 


150 


A BAis^KRUPT HEART. 


conversation at times is not fit for Laura and me to 
listen to ! ” 

Now you’re p^oing a great deal too far/’ said the old 
Countess, “ and I won’t let you speak of Nora in that way. 
Eememher, if you please, that she is the head of the family, 
and that, some day, you may both be dependent on her for 
a chaperon ! ” 

This prospect silenced the Ladies Devenish, for a time at 
least, and the subject of the young Countess, of Ilfracombe 
was dropped by mutual consent. But their remarks on 
their brother’s low spirits attracted Nora’s attention to her 
husband, when she soon perceived that they were right. 
Ilfracombe was certainly depressed. He seldom joined in 
the general conversation, and when he did, his voice was 
low and grave. The Earl was not a brilliant talker, as has 
been said before, but he had always been able to hold his 
own when alone with his wife, and used to relate every lit- 
tle incident that had occurred during the day to her, as 
soon as they found themselves shut in from the eyes of the 
world. But he had dropped even this. Once or twice she 
had rallied him on his low spirits, and had made him still 
graver in consequence. But, when others began to notice 
his moodiness and make unkind remarks on it, Nora 
thought it was time, for her own sake, to try and find out 
the cause. It was after a long evening spent in his com- 
pany, during which Ilfracombe had let Jack Portland, and 
two or three other guests, do all the talking, that his wife 
attacked him on the subject. Seizing hold of his arm as 
he was about to pass from her bedroom to his dressing- 
room, she swung him round, and pulled him down upon 
the sofa by her side. 

^^Not yet, Ilfracombe,” she said, archly; want to 
speak to you first. You haven’t said a word to me the 
whole evening.” 

Haven’t I, my darling ? ” he replied, slipping his arm 
round her slender waist. It’s only because all these con- 
founded women never give one time to put in a syllable. 

I wish you and I were alone, Nora. I should he so much 
happier.” 

Should you, Ilfracombe ? ” she asked, a little fearfully. • 
«yVhy?” 


A BA^s^KRUPT HEART. 


151 


She was so afraid lest he should get jealous of Mr. Port- 
land’s intimacy with her, before she had the power to 
promise him she would never speak to the man again. But 
Mr. Portland was the last person in Lord Ilfracombe’s 
mind. All he was thinking of was the disastrous fate of 
Nell Llewellyn, and wishing he had had the courage to tell 
his wife about it before he married her. 

Because, if we were alone together, day after day, we 
should get to know each other’s hearts and minds better 
than we do now, and I should feel more courage to speak 
to you of several little things that annoy me.” 

Things about me, you mean,” she said, in her confident 
manner, though not without a qualm. 

“ Things about you, my angel ? ” exclaimed her enamored 
husband, with genuine surprise. “What is there about 
you that could possibly annoy me ? Why, I think you per- 
fection — you know I do — and would not have you altered in 
any particular for all the world,” 

“Then why are you so depressed, Ilfracombe?” said 
Nora. “ It is not only I who have noticed it. Everybody, 
including your mother and sisters, say the same, and it is 
not very complimentary to me, you know, considering we 
have only been married five months, is it ? ” 

Lord Ilfracombe grew scarlet. The moment had come, 
he saw, for an explanation, and how could he make it ? He 
feared the girl beside him would shrink from him with 
horror if she heard the truth. And yet he was a man of 
honor, according to a man’s idea of honor, and could not 
find it in his heart to stoop to subterfuge. If he told Nora 
anything, he must tell her all. 

“ Dearest,” he said, laying his fair head down on her 
shoulder, “ I confess I have felt rather miserable, lately, 
but it has nothing to do with you. It concerns only my- 
self and my past life. I have heard a very sad story since 
we came home, Nora. I wonder if I dare tell it to you.” 

“ Why should you not, Ilfracombe ? Perhaps I can guess 
a good part of it before you begin.” 

“ 0 no, no, you cannot. I would rather not think you 
should. And yet you are a little woman of the world, al- 
though you have been so long cooped-up (as you used to 
tell me) in Malta. Your father told me, when I proposed 


152 


A BAIS^KRUPT HEART. 


for you, that I must be entirely frank and open with you, 
for that girls nowadays were not like the girls of romance, 
hut were wide-awake to most things that go on in the 
world, and resented being kept in the dark where their af- 
fections were concerned.^^ 

think my father was right! was all that Nora 
replied. 

And yet — and yet — how can I tell you ? — what will you 
think of me? Nora, I have been trying so hard to keep it 
to myself, lest you should shrink from me, when you hear 
the truth — and yet, we are husband and wife, and should 
have no secrets from each other. I should be wretched, I 
know, if I thought you had ever deceived me. I would 
rather suffer any mortification than know that, and so, per- 
haps, you, too, would rather I were quite honest with you, 
although I have put it off so long. Would you, my dear- 
est ? he asked, turning his handsome face up to hers. 

Nora stooped and kissed him. It was a genuine kiss. 
She had not been accustomed to bestow them spontaneously 
on her husband, but she knew what was coming, and she 
felt, for the first time, how much better Ilfracombe was 
than herself. 

“Yes, Ilfracombe,” she answered, gravely, “trust me! I 
am, as you say, a woman of the world, and can overlook a 
great deal.” 

“ That kiss has emboldened me,” said the Earl, “ and I feel 
I owe it to you to explain the reason of my melancholy. 
Nora, I have been no better than other young men ” 

“ I never supposed you were ! ” interposed his wife. 

“ Ah ! wait till you hear all ! Some years before I met 
you, I took a fancy to a girl and she — lived in my house. 
You understand ? ” 

Lady Ilfracombe nodded. 

“ Most men knew of this, and your father made it a con- 
dition of our marriage that the whole thing was put an end 
to. Of course it was what I only intended to do, but I 
knew it was my duty to make some provision for the young 
woman, so I directed Mr. Sterndale to tell her of my in- 
tended marriage and settle a certain sum of money on her. 
I returned to England, so happy in you, my darling, as you 
well know, and looking forward to spending such a merry 


A BAI^KKUPT HEAKT. 


153 


Christmas with you for the first time in our own home, 
when I was met with the news that — that — 

That — what, Ilfracombe ? DonT be afraid of shocking 
me! Is she coming to Thistlemere to throw some vitriol 
in my face ? 

“ 0 no, my darling ; donT speak like that I Poor Nell never 
would have injured you, or any one, and it is out of her power 
to do so now. She is dead, Nora — dead by her own hand. 
When she heard the news, she went and threw herself into 
the river! Can you wonder if I feel miserable and self-re- 
proachful when I remember that I caused that poor girPs 
death ? — that my great happiness has been built up on her 
despair ? 0 what did the foolish child see in me to drive 

her to so rash an act, for my sake? I feel as if her dead 
face would haunt me to the end of my life! 

And the Earl covered his face with his hands. Nora, also, 
felt very much shocked. Death seems a terrible thing to 
the young and careless. It takes sorrow and disappoint- 
ment and bodily pain to make us welcome it as a release 
from all evil. 

0 Ilfracombe ! she whispered, I am so sorry for you ! 
Death is an awful thing. But I cannot see it was your 
fault. You meant to be good and kind. She expected too 
much, surely. She must have known that some day you 
would marry and it would come to an end."’"’ 

“ That is just what Sterndale said!'’^ exclaimed the Earl, 
joyfully, and you say the same. You do not spurn me 
from you, my own darling, because of the vileness of my 
former life ? 0 Nora, you are a woman in a thousand! I 

have been dreading lest you should find this disgraceful 
story out or hear it from some kind friend ! But now my 
mind will be at perfect rest. You know the worst, my 
dearest. There is nothing more for me to tell. We two 
are one for evermore! and he kissed her rapturously as he 
concluded. 

Nora shuddered under her husband^s caresses, although 
they had never been so little disagreeable to her as now. 
How she wished she could echo his words and say that she, 
too, had nothing more to reveal! But those terrible letters 
— what did they contain ? — what had she said in them, or 
not said, to rise up at any moment and spoil her life ? She 


154 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


had never been so near honoring Ilfracomhe as at that mo- 
ment — never so near despising herself. But she answered, 
very quietly: 

My dear boy, you have told me nothing new. Do you 
remember a letter that you received at the hotel a few days 
after we were married, Ilfracomhe? You left it in the sit- 
ting-room and were terribly upset because you could not 
find it, until the waiter said he had destroyed one which he 
picked up. He didn’t destroy your letter. It was I who 
picked it up, and I have it still ! ” 

And you read it ? ” said the Earl, with such genuine 
dismay that it completely restored Nora’s native as- 
surance. 

^^Now, what on earth do you suppose that a woman 
would do with a letter of her husband’s that she had the 
good fortune to pick up,” she cried, ‘^especially a letter 
from a young woman who addressed him in the most 
familiar terms ? Why, of course, I read it, you simpleton, 
as I shall read any others which you are careless enough to 
leave on the floor. Seriously, Ilfracombe, I have known 
your great secret from the beginning, and — well, let us 
say no more about it. I would rather not venture an 
opinion on the subject. It’s over and done with; and, 
though I’m awfully grieved the poor woman came to so 
tragic an end, you cannot expect me, as your wife, to say 
that I’m sorry she’s out of the way. I think it is awfully 
good of you to have told me of it, Ilfracombe. Your con- 
fidence makes me feel small, because I know I haven’t told 
you everything that Fve ever done; but, then, you see,’^ 
added Nora, with one of her most winning expressions of 
naughtiness, “I’ve done such lots I can’t remember the 
half of it. It will come to the surface by degrees, I daresay, 
and if we live to celebrate our golden wedding you may 
have heard all.” 

But Ilfracomhe would not let her finish her sentence. He 
threw his arms around her and embraced her passionately, 
saying: 

“You’re the best and dearest and sweetest wife a man 
ever had, and I don’t care what you’ve done and I don’t 
want to hear a word about it — only love me a little in re- 
turn for my great love for you.” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


155 


But Lady Ilfracombe knew the sex too well not to be 
aware that, if he had imagined there was anything to tell, 
he would not have rested till he had heard it; and as she 
lay down to sleep that night, all her former love of intrigue 
and artifice seemed to have deserted her, and she wished 
from the bottom of her heart that she could imitate the 
moral courage of her husband, and leave the future noth- 
ing to reveal.'’^ 


156 


CHAPTER IV. 

The Dowager Countess Ilfracombe was an amiable old 
lady, but she was also very fond and proud of her son, and 
anxious to preserve his interests. His long friendship with 
Miss Llewellyn had been a great sorrow to her, and she 
was rejoiced when she heard that he had made a respect- 
able marriage. But the remarks of her daughters on Nora’s 
behavior had made her a little more observant, and for the 
next few days she watched the young Countess narrowly. 
The consequence of which was, that she determined to have 
a private talk with the girl, and the first time she found 
her alone, she proceeded to the attack. 

She was a sweet old lady, this Dowager Countess, like 
her son in many ways, with soft, gray curls each side her 
face, and mild blue eyes and delicately chiseled features. 
She drew her chair close to that on which her daughter- 
in-law sat, carelessly turning over the latest magazines, and 
laid her withered hand on the girl’s slim, white one. 

Reading, my dear ? ” she commenced, pleasantly. “ Is 
there anything particularly good in the Christmas numbers 
this year ? ” 

Not much,” replied Nora, laying the magazine down. 

The stories are all on the same old lines. I wish they 
would invent something new. I think it is so silly to im- 
agine that Christmas tales must all take place in the snow, 
or be mixed up with a ghost. Isn’t it ? ” 

Very silly,” acquiesced the old lady; ^^but as long as 
there are fools found to read them, there will be fools left 
to write them. But where is Ilfracombe this afternoon ? 
Has he left you all alone to the mercy of the Christmas 
numbers ? ” 

Nora laughed. 

It is my own fault,” she said. He wanted me to go 
out driving with him, but I thought it was too cold. So I 
think he and Mr. Portland have walked over to Critington 
to play billiards with Lord Babbage.” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


157 


Ah ! I thought dear Ilfracombe had not forgotten his 
little wife/^ said the Dowager, in a patronizing tone of 
voice, which Nora immediately resented. ‘^^He is too good 
and amiable for that. I am sure that you find him most 
kind in everything, don’t you, dear ? ” 

The young Countess shrugged her shoulders. 

So, so. Much the same as other young men,” she an- 
swered; and then, perceiving the look of astonishment on 
her mother-in-law’s face, she added, apologetically: You 

see. Lady Ilfracombe, that I’m not a gusher, and I’vo 
known so many men, I’ve learned to pretty well estimate 
the value of them.” 

Perhaps, my dear; though I cannot say I think the 
knowledge an enviable one for a young lady. But you do 
not rank your husband with other men, surely. He loves, 
you dearly; any one could see that, and you must have a. 
good deal of influence over him.” 

Yes; I fancy I’ve got the length of his foot,” replied 
Nora. 

“ My dear son is almost all that a son and a husband 
should be,” continued the fond mother. He has no vices,, 
but he has some weaknesses; and one is, being too easily 
influenced by his friends, and all his friends are not such 
as I should choose for him. I may be wrong, but I distrust 
that Mr. Portland, with whom Ilfracombe is so intimate; 
more than that, I dislike him.” 

“ So do I,” said Nora, shortly. A look of satisfaction 
came into her companion’s face. 

“Do you, really, Nora? I am so glad to hear you say 
so, for I fancied that he was a great friend of yours.” 

“ What ! Mr. Portland ? 0 Lady Ilfracombe, how mis- 

taken you are. If I had my will I would never ask him to 
Thistlemere again. But you won’t tell Aim so, will you ? 
she said, looking fearfully round. 

“ My dear girl, what are you thinking of ? As if it were 
likely. But, Nora, now you have told me so, I must tell 
you what is in my mind. Mr. Portland has, in my opinion, 
been Ilfracombe’s worst enemy for years. Not willfully so, 
of course, but he is a man who almost lives upon the turf, 
and is always betting and gambling. He has no settled in- 
come, or a very small one. He is, in fact, an adventurer. 


158 


A BANKKUPT HEAKT. 


-though our dear Ilfracombe would he angry if he heard me 
say so. I am sure this Mr. Portland borrows large sums of 
him. My brother, General Brewster, warned me of it long 
ago. He has also encouraged Ilfracombe in many things 
which I cannot speak to you about, but which a word from 
Mr. Portland would have made him see the folly of. But 
he has been his evil genius. You must be his good genius, 
and rid Ilfracombe of him.'^ 

The old lady smiled very kindly at Yora as she said this. 
She was so relieved to find that she did not stick up for 
the vaurien, Jack Portland, as she had feared she 
might do. 

— Lady Ilfracombe! exclaimed the young Countess, 
with somewhat of a scared look ; but what could I do ? 
Mr. Portland is my husband^s friend, not mine. I don’t 
think Ilfracombe would hear a word against him.” 

I think he would be the first to listen and approve, my 
dear, were you to complain to him of the offensive familiarity 
with which Mr. Portland treats you. I don’t think it is 
either respectful to your rank or yourself. Several people 
have noticed it. To see that dissipated-looking man hang- 
ing over you, as he often does, at the piano or the sofa, 
with his red face close to yours, sometimes almost whisper- 
ing in your ear before other people, is most indecent. Ilfra- 
combe should put a stop to it, and the proper person to 
draw his attention to it is yourself.” 

I hate it! I detest it! ” cried Nora, her face flushing 
with annoyance and the knowledge that she had put it out 
of her power to resent such conduct as she ought to do. 

I think Mr. Portland is vulgar and presuming to a degree; 
but if it is Ilfracombe’s pleasure to have him here, he 
would surely not like me the better for making mischief 
between them.” 

“ I should not call it ^ making mischief,’ ” replied the 
Dowager; I should say it was what was only due to your 
position as Ilfracombe’s wife. However, my dear, perhaps 
you know best. Only, pray, promise me to discourage that 
odious man as much as possible. I shall have to speak to 
him some day myself, if you don’t.” 

Indeed, indeed, I will. Lady Ilfracombe! I will come 
and sit close by you every day after dinner, if you will let 


A BAKKKUPT HEART. 


159 


me, and then he will hardly have the presumption, I should 
think, to thrust himself between us.^^ 

My dear, I should not like to put a limit to Mr. Port- 
land's presumption. He is one of the most olfensive men 1 
have ever met. However, if you dislike him as much as I 
do, there is no harm done; and I should think, judging 
from your courageous and independent manner, that you 
were quite capable of keeping him at a distance, if you 
choose.^^ 

I hope so,"*^ laughed Nora, uneasily. Don^t have any 
fears for me, dear Lady Ilfracombe! My only wish in this 
particular is, not to annoy my husband by offending his 
great friend, whom he has commended, over and over again, 
to my hospitality; but if matters go too far, he shall hear 
of it, I promise you.'’^ 

The Dowager kissed her daughter-in-law, and felt per- 
fectly satisfied with the way in which she had received her 
advice, telling the Ladies Devenish afterwards that they 
had taken an utterly wrong view of the young Countess^ 
conduct, and she only wished every young married woman 
were as well able to take care of herself and her husband^s 
honor. The Ladies Devenish shrugged their ancient 
shoulders as soon as her back was turned, and told each 
other that mother’s geese were always swans, and, of 
course, any one whom Ilfracombe had married, could do no 
wrong, in her eyes.” But they ceased making remarks on 
Nora for the future, all the same. 

Meanwhile, the young Countess did all she possibly could, 
without being positively rude, to discountenance Jack 
Portland’s intimacy with her. She kept as close as she 
could to her mother and sisters in-law, and took every pre- 
caution to prevent herself being left alone with him, but 
perceived, in a few days, that Mr. Portland had guessed 
the cause of her avoidance, and was prepared to resent it. 
If he could not get an opportunity of speaking to her pri- 
vately during the evening, he would stand on the hearth- 
rug and gaze at her with his blood-shot eyes, till she was 
afraid that everybody in the room must guess the secret 
between them. One afternoon, as they were seated round 
the luncheon-table, he lolled over her and stared so fixedly 
into her face, that she felt as if she must rebuke his con- 


160 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


duct openly. She saw the Dowager put up her eyeglasses 
to observe them, and the Ladies Devenish nudge each other 
to look her way. Ilfracombe, of all present, seemed to take 
no notice of Mr. Portland's behavior. Nora writhed like a 
bird in the coils of a serpent. She did not know how to 
act. She could have slapped the insolent, heated face 
which was almost thrust in her own; she professed not to 
hear the words addressed to her in a lowered tone, but tried 
to treat them playfully, and told him to speak up."’"’ But 
it was useless. She saw Jack Portland’s bloated face grow 
darker and darker as she parried his attempts at familiar- 
ity, until she dreaded lest, in his anger at her repulsion, he 
should say something aloud that would lower her forever in 
the eyes of her relations. Who can trust the tongue of a 
man who is an habitual drinker? At last Nora could stand 
it no longer, and, rising hastily, she asked the Dowager to 
excuse her leaving the table, as she did not feel well. Her 
plea was sufficient to make her husband follow her; but he 
could not get the truth out of her, even when alone. 

It^s nothing,^^ she told him, when he pressed her to say 
if she were really ill; ^^but the room was warm, and I 
didn^t want any more luncheon, and Mr. Portland bored 
me.^^ 

Jack bored you ! ” exclaimed the Earl, in a voice of as- 
tonishment, as if such a thing could never be. I never 
heard a woman say that before. Shall I speak to him about 
it, darling ?^^ 

But Nora^s look of horror at the proposal was enough to 
answer the question. 

Speak to him, Ilfracombe ? 0 no, pray, don^t. What 

icould he think of me? It would sound so horribly rude,, 
and when he is a guest in the house, too. Never mention it 
again, please. I wouldn^t offend a friend of yours for the 
world.^^ 

Thanks. Yes, Pm afraid dear old Jack might feel a 
little sore if I were to tell him he bored you. But it 
mustnT be allowed to occur again, Nora. IJl take him out 
of the house more than I have done. He wonT worry you 
this afternoon, for wehe going to ride over to the castle 
together, and pay old Nettleton a visit. I want to get a 
trace of his pointers if he will part with them. We mean 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


161 


to be home to dinner, but if wehe a little late, don^t wait 
for us.^^ 

^^Very well,’^ said Nora, brightly. She was glad to think 
she would be relieved from her Mte noir, for the afternoon, 
at all events. 

The Earl stooped and kissed her, and ran down-stairs. 
Nora would have liked to return that kiss; but as she was 
about to do it, she suddenly felt shy, and drew back again. 
Women are so generally accredited with changing their 
minds, that when they do so, they donT like to confess the 
truth. But she waved her hand gaily, as Lord Ilfracombe 
left the room, and sent him off on his expedition, happy 
and contented. The afternoon passed quietly away; noth- 
ing unusual occurred until the ladies had assembled in the 
drawing-room, preparatory to dinner being served. 

Ilfracombe particularly requested that we should not 
wait, if he were late,^^ said Nora to her mother-in-law; ^^so 
I think we had better not do so. I fancy he had some 
idea that Mr. Nettleton might press them to dine at the 
castle — any way, that was what he said to me.^^ 

I would give them ten minutes^ grace, my dear,^^ re- 
plied the Dowager. The roads are very bad to-day, and 
they may not reach home as soon they anticipated. It is 
so uncomfortable to come in just as the soup has been re- 
moved. Besides, they must change their clothes before 
dining.” 

“Yes, you are right,” replied Nora, glancing at the clock 
on the mantelpiece. “ It is a quarter to seven, now. I will 
ring and tell Warrender to put off dinner till half past. 
Shall I?” 

“ Yes, my dear, do,” the old lady was saying, just as War- 
render entered the room, unceremoniously, and with an air 
of decided perturbation. 

“What is the matter?” cried Nora, hurriedly; for she 
saw at once he was the bearer of news. What has oc- 
curred ? Why do you look like that ? ” 

“0 my lady,” exclaimed the servant; “nothing, I hope; 
your ladyship mustn’t be alarmed, but I thought it right 
you should hear that — that ” 

“That — what‘s For God’s sake, speak!” cried Nora, 
impetuously. “ It is folly to keep us in such suspense.” 


162 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


^MVell, my lady, Johnson he has just come up from the 
stables to say that the Black Prince — his lordship^s horse, 
you know, my lady — ran into the yard a few minutes back 
without — without his lordship, my lady.^^ 

Thrown ! exclaimed Lady Laura, shrilly. 

‘^Without Lord Ilfracombe ? queried Lady Blanche. 

But where, then, is Mr. Portland ? 

0 heavens ! my poor son ! He may be lying dead in 
the road at this moment! said the Dowager, wringing her 
hands. 

But Nora said nothing. She was standing in the center 
of the room, motionless, as though turned to stone. Pres- 
ently she asked, in a harsh voice: 

^^Have they sent out to search along the roads 

No, my lady; they thought ” commenced Warrender. 

Thought — thought! — what is the good of thinking 
when they should act ? Tell J ohnson to go out at once 
and scour the road to the castle, and let the carriage be 
got ready to follow him. His lordship may be unable to 
walk. Go at once — don’t lose a moment — stay! Where 
is Johnson ? I will give him the directions myself. ” 

She flew down to the lower premises as she spoke, re- 
gardless that her dress was quite unsuited to cold corridors 
and stone passages. She was very white, but perfectly 
calm and collected as she gave her orders; whilst Lady 
Laura was shrieking in hysterics in the drawing-room; and 
Lady Blanche had her hands full in trying to prevent the 
Dowager fainting under the dreadful suspense. As soon 
as Nora was satisfled that assistance had been dispatched 
in case of need, she went slowly up to her own room, with 
her hand tightly pressed against her heart. She could not 
realize what might be taking place or might have taken 
place. She had only one fear — one dread — Ilfracombe and 
she might be parted before she had had time to tell him 
that she loved him. She kept both hands and teeth clinched 
to keep her from crying out and making her cowardice 
patent to all around, whilst her cold lips went on murmur- 
ing, ‘^0 God, save him! 0 God, save him!” without any 
idea of the meaning of what she said. 

She had stood thus, not having the heart or the sense to 
sit down, for, perhaps, half an hour, when she heard a shout 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


163 


from the hall — a shout of laughter, and then her husband^s 
Yoice, exclaiming: 

So sorry to have given you such a scare! Not my fault, 
I assure you. We came on as quick as we could. No, I’m 
not hurt. Was Nora frightened ? Where is she ? I must 
go to her! Down in a minute. Tell you all about it then. ” 
And his feet came flying, two steps at a time, up the stairs 
to her side. 

She stood with clasped hands, expecting him, all the 
blood in her body mantling in her face. 

0 Ilfracombe ! ” was all she could say, as he entered 
the room. 

^^My darling! I am so sorry that brute frightened you 
all so by coming home without me! Jack and I were 
within a mile of home when the Black Prince shied sud- 
denly at something and threw me clean over his head. We 
tried our best to catch him, but he bolted to his stables, and 
I had to walk back.” 

And you are not hurt ? ” she asked, tremblingly — not 
at all ! ” 

‘^Not at all!” he echoed; “only splashed from head to 
foot with mud, and feeling very much as if I would like to 
have a warm bath before dinner. But, love, you are shaking 
all over! Has it really upset you like this?” 

Nora drew back a little, ashamed of having displayed so 
much feeling. 

“It was rather alarming,” she answered, with a slight 
laugh. “We — we — might — never have seen you again! ” 

“ And you would have grieved for me ! ” said the Earl, 
pressing her to his heart. “ 0 my dearest, you make me 
feel so happy! ” 

A sudden impulse, which she could not restrain, seized 
Nora. She threw her slender arms round Ilfracombe and 
laid her cheek against his. It was the first evidence of deep 
feeling which she had ever given him. But a moment after- 
wards she seemed ashamed of it. 

“ There is no doubt you gave us a start, dear old boy,” 
she said, smiling; “but it is over now, and I’ll run down 
and send Wilkins up to get your bath ready. You’ll have 
heaps of time. I had already postponed dinner to half-past 
seven. Make as much haste as you can, though!” 


164 


A BAI^KRUPT HEART. 


‘^One more kiss, darling, before you go!^^ cried the Earl. 

‘^No such thing! We mustn't waste any more time in 
fooling or the fish will be in rags. I will go down and see 
that Lady Ilfracombe has a glass of wine. The poor, old 
lady has been crying fit to make herself ill ! " 

And, in another second, she had left him to himself. 
She found the drawing-room people in solemn conclave; the 
Ladies Devenish rather inclined to be offended at being 
disappointed of a sensation; and the Dowager telling Mr. 
Portland of the terrible scare they had experienced, and 
how she thought poor, dear Nora would go mad, when the 
news of the riderless horse’s arrival was announced to them. 

“ I am sure I thought her mind was going, Mr. Portland,” 
she was saying, as Nora entered. “ She stood as if she had 
been turned to marble; and, when she rushed from the 
room, I thought she was going to fiy out into the night air, 
just as she was, after him.” 

“ Of course it would have been an awful thing for Lady 
Ilfracombe to have lost her position so soon after attaining 
it,” replied Mr. Portland, politely. 

And her husband,” returned the old lady, sympathet- 
ically. 

It was at this juncture that Nora appeared. She was 
still pale from the fright she had experienced, and had lost 
much of her usual jolly, off-hand manner. 

Ilfracombe will be down directly,” she said, addressing 
her mother-in-law. “ He is going to have a bath, before 
dinner; as, though he has broken no bones, he has a con- 
siderable number of bruises from the fall.” 

Of course, poor, dear boy,” acquiesced the Dowager. 

0 my dear, what a mercy it is no worse. He might have 
been killed from such a sudden fall. I shall never feel easy 
when he is on horseback again.” 

“ Never is a long time,” replied Nora, smiling; but 
won’t you, and Blanche and Laura take a glass of wine be- 
fore dinner ? I am sure you must need it, after the shock 
you have had.” 

The wine was rung for, and when AYarrender appeared 
with it, and Nora refused to have any, Mr. Portland took 
the opportunity of observing, sarcastically: Surely, you 

must require some yourself, Lady Ilfracombe. I have just 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


165 


been listening to an account of the terrible emotion you 
displayed at the supposition of Ilfracombe's danger." 

The butler poured out a glass, and handed it to his young 
mistress without a word. He had seen her excitement, and 
interpreted it aright; but he did not understand why this 
gentleman should mention it, as though it were something 
to be surprised at. 

The young Countess took the wine silently, and drank it. 
Portland again addressed her. 

It must have been an awful moment for you, when 
Black Prince's arrival was announced. Did you really 
think Ilfracombe was killed ? It would have been a great 
misfortune for you if it had been so. The title would have* 
gone, I believe, to a distant cousin, and the whole object of 
his marriage been frustrated. And you would have sunk 
at once from the Queen regnant to a mere dowager. Aren't 
you glad he is all right ? " 

This was said sotto voce, so as to be inaudible to the rest 
of the party. 

I do not see that it signifies to you, what I feel, or do 
not feel," said Nora, with her most indifferent air, as she 
turned from Jack Portland, to address some common- 
place to her mother-in-law. 

By J ove ! though, but I'll make it signify," he muttered, 
to himself, as he saw the Ladies Devenish secretly amused 
at the evident snub he had received. The Earl now joined 
the assembly. He was in high spirits, and disposed to 
make light of everything that had occurred. The evening 
passed pleasantly, though Nora was rather hysterically 
gay; but, towards the close of it, when the other ladies 
had retired, and she was about to follow their example, 
her husband was told that his steward wished to speak to 
him. 

Don't go, yet, Nora," he called out, on leaving the 
room. ^^Wait till I come back. I want to tell you some- 
thing before Jack and I go to the smoking-room. Keep 
her amused. Jack, till I return." 

It was Jack Portland's opportunity, and he seized it. 

What an actress you are," he commenced, as soon as 
they were alone. You would have made your fortune on 
the stage." 


166 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


I don^t understand you/^ she said. ‘‘ In what have I 
acted a part to-night ? 

^^Why, in your well-counterfeited dismay at the idea of 
danger to Ilfracombe, of course. When the old lady was 
telling me about it, I thought I should have split. You — 
turned to stone with apprehension. You — the coldest 
woman in Christendom, who has no more feeling than a 
piece of marble. It is ridiculous. You know it was all 
put on."’"’ 

“ Why shouldn't I feel uneasy if he is in danger? He is 
my husband. You cannot deny that.^^ 

Your husband, yes. And what did you marry him for ? 
His title and his money. You cannot deny that. Two 
years ago you were, or fancied yourself, desperately in love 
with another man — modesty forbids me to mention him by 
name — but you chucked him over — why? Because he 
liadnT as much money as you expected to sell yourself 
for.'’^ 

“ It isnT true,^^ she answered, hotly. “You know that it 
was my father who separated us, and forbade your coming 
to the house again. Else — perhaps — there is no knowing, 
I might have been your wife at the present moment. But 
as for being, as you express it, ^ desperately in love,^ you 
know that is untrue — that it is not in my nature — that I am 
not one of your gushing, spooney girls, who are ready to 
jump down the throat of the first man who looks at them, 
and never was.” 

“Well, I wouldnT be too sure of that,” said Mr. Port- 
land. “ Certain little epistles, in my possession, tell a dif- 
ferent tale. Most of them are ^ spooney ^ enough in all 
conscience. At least, if you do not call them so, I should 
like to see the ones you do.” 

“ You have not returned those letters to me, yet,” she 
answered, quickly. “ I trust to your honor to do so, with- 
out reading them again.” 

“ Why should I read them again, ma chere, when they no 
longer interest me ? I know you women like to think you 
can chuck your victims over, and still keep them writhing 
at your feet; but I am not one of that sort. Once repulsed 
is enough for me. Your ladyship need never fear that I 
shall ever trouble you again. But donT say you never 


A BAi^KRUPT HEART. 


167 


were one of the ^ gushing, spooney girls, ^ or yon may tempt 
me to make you retract your words. Perhaps you have 
quite forgotten what you wrote in those letters ? he de- 
manded, meaningly. 

‘^Yes, quite,^'’ she answered, though with a sickening, 
faint remembrance of a great deal of folly; ^^hut what does 
it matter ? It is over now, on both sides, and we can re- 
main good friends, all the same. But I wish you would 
not make your intimacy with me quite so apparent before 
other people. It has been noticed by more than one per- 
son, and it places me in an unpleasant position. And, if it 
is pointed out to Ilfracombe, it might lead to something 
disagreeable.'’^ 

How ? ” said her companion. 

How? Why, by making a quarrel between my husband 
and myself, of course,’'’ replied Nora, querulously. 

And would you care about that ? He couldn’t take 
your coronet from you for such a trifle, you know. Even 
those letters of yours — were they to come to light. He 
might rub rusty over them, but he couldn’t do anything. 
When a man marries a woman, he has to ignore all ante- 
nuptial indiscretions. He would make a jolly row, natur- 
ally, and you would have a hot time of it. But you are 
the Countess of Ilfracombe, fast enough, and the Lord 
Chancellor himself couldn’t unmake you so.” 

I know that,” said Nora. I don’t need you to tell me 
so. And there is no chance of Ilfracombe seeing the letters, 
either. If you keep your word to me (as I conclude you 
will), I shall destroy them as soon as they are in my pos- 
session. I wish you would send for your dispatch box, and 
give them to me at once. I should feel so much more 
comfortable.” 

Why in such a hurry ? ” said Mr. Portland. ‘‘ I am 
going home next week, and then you shall have them 
by registered post, honor bright. Won’t that satisfy you ? ” 
“ 0 yes, of course. And, Mr. Portland,” added Nora, 
rather nervously, ^^we agreed just now that it was all over, 
so you won’t mind my saying — you think I care only for 
Ilfracombe’s title and fortune, and, I daresay, you are jus- 
tifled in thinking so; but — but — it is not oply that. He— 
he — is so good to me, that I can’t help caring — I .mean, it 


168 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


would be very ungrateful of me not to care, just a lit- 
tle ” 

But here the young Countess^ blushing, stammering con- 
fession was interrupted by her husband^s return. 

0 here is Ilfracombe,^^ she exclaimed, suddenly break- 
ing off, and advancing to meet him, whilst Jack Portland 
thought to himself: 

So, the wind’s in that quarter, now, is it ? All the bet- 
ter for me; but I’m afraid her ladyship has sealed the fate 
of that interesting little packet. If love is to be brought 
into the bargain, those letters will become too valuable to 
me, to part with. Why, I shall be able to turn and twist 
her, through their means, at my will.” 


169 


CHAPTEE V. 

The time was altered at Panty-cuckoo Farm. Christmas 
had come and gone — rather a melancholy Christmas! The 
weather had been raw and chill, Mrs. Llewellyn had been 
laid up with sciatica, and the farmer had appeared de- 
pressed and out of spirits. Hugh Owen had left off 
coming to the farm altogether, at which Hell was not sur- 
prised, though her mother grumbled, and her father said 
that, with some people, out of sight seemed out of mind. 
But, with the advent of spring, things grew better. Is it 
not always the way with spring ? Its bright, hopeful sur- 
roundings seem to make one ashamed of murmuring over 
one’s own troubles. The bursting buds, the rivulets, re- 
leased from the icy grip of winter, the callow birds, the 
balmy, life-giving air, all speak of renewed action and 
strength, after the numbing effects of winter. One grows 
young again with spring. The buoyancy of the atmos- 
phere, and all the glad sights and sounds that salute one’s 
eyes and ears, seem to fill one with new feelings — new ideas 
— new hopes. Even Hell succumbed to the delights of the 
new season, and felt sorry to think she had driven her 
kindest friend from her side. She had tried several times 
to see Hugh Owen and make up her quarrel with him, but 
he always managed to avoid meeting her. There was a 
baby at Dale Farm now, over which Hetty and her mother- 
in-law were crooning half the day — with which, of course, 
old Mrs. Llewellyn was delighted, but which Hell never 
saw without a sigh. She thought that when Hugh chris- 
tened her. little nephew, she would at least secure a word 
or two with him in private, but it was not so. He never 
turned his eyes her way during the ceremony, and pleaded 
other duties as an excuse for not being present at the sub- 
stantial feast which was spread for them afterwards at Dale 
Farm. 

^‘1 can’t think what’s come of Hugh lately,” said his 
mother. ^^He was never what you might call very sociable- 


170 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


like, but now it^s a wonder ever to get a word out of him. 
He seems to spend his life praying people out of the world, 
and Fm sure it don^t make him more cheerful at home.^'’ 

“There, missus, let the lad alone, do!'’^ exclaimed her 
husband. “You know^d from the first that he was good 
for nothing but the ministry. He^s got no heart, nor 
stomach, nor liver, nor nothing, hasn't Hugh; he's just a 
minister and nothing else. He's been as silent and as sulky 
as a bear for the last three months, but I take no notice of 
it. Let him go on his own way, say I; and, thank the Lord, 
'tain't mine!" 

“Well, I suppose we've offended him, though I'm sure I 
can't tell how," interposed Mrs. Llewellyn, “ for he's not 
been near us for ever so long. When our Nell was ill he 
was at the farm every day, praying most beautiful, and 
bringing her books and fiowers and such like; but I don't 
believe we've seen him, not to speak of, since Christmas, 
have we, Nell ? " 

“I don't think we have, mother," replied Nell, con- 
sciously. 

“ 0 that's plain enough," said Farmer Owen; “you ain't 
dying any longer, my lass, or you'd have Master Hugh at 
your bedside often enough. He don't care for lasses with 
rosy cheeks and who can eat a good dinner and use their 
legs! They've no interest for a minister! You shouldn't 
have got well if you wanted to keep Hugh by your side." 

“Well, for my part, I wish she was better than she is, if 
we never saw Hugh again for it, begging your pardons, 
neighbors. But Nell ain't half satisfactory. Doctor Cowell 
he says it's only the weakness after the fever; but she's a 
Ipng time coming round, to my mind. She eats pretty well, 
but she hasn't got any life in her, nor she can't seem to 
take any interest in anything. Her memory, too, is some- 
thing dreadful. She's always dreaming when she ought to 
be doing. We must see if we can't send her to Cardiff or 
Swansea this summer, for the benefit of the sea-air." 

Nell colored faintly as she replied: 

“ Now, mother, I wish you'd talk of something more in- 
teresting than me. I'm right enough. And we're all talk- 
ing of ourselves and forgetting the little man's health. 
AVho'll propose the toast ? Shall I ? Here's to the very 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


171 


good health of Griffith William Owen, and may he live a 
long life and a happy one ! 

And, in the chatter and congratulations that followed the 
toast, Nell and Hugh were both happily forgotten. All 
the same, she wished he had not taken her communication 
so much to heart, and was dreadfully afraid lest his evident 
avoidance of Panty-cuckoo Farm should end by directing 
some sort of suspicion towards herself. ‘ It was about this 
time that Nell perceived that there was something decidedly 
wrong with her father; not in health, but in mind. He 
seemed to regard everything in its worst light, and to have 
some objection to make to whatever might be said to him. 
If her mother remarked how comfortable and happy Hetty 
was in her new home, Mr. Llewellyn would observe: 

“Aye, aye! iPs just as well she's feathered her nest be- 
fore troubles come;" or, if Nell said she felt stronger and 
better for the fine weather, it would be: “Well, I don't 
know as it's a thing to crow over. Many a person's hap- 
pier dead than alive." 

At last, one morning, she came down to breakfast, to find 
him in a brown study over a lawyer's letter which had 
reached him in a long, blue envelope. The postman was a 
rare visitor at Panty-cuckoo Farm. The Llewellyns had 
not many relatives, and were not a writing family if they 
had had them. Everything went on too simply with them 
to require much correspondence. Above all, a lawyer's 
letter was a rarity. 

“ Had bad news, father ? " inquired Nell, as she met him. 

“ Aye, my lass I as bad as it could well be I Sir Archi- 
bald Bowmant's going to raise the rent of the old farm 
again, and I don't know how it's to be made to pay it. 
Times have been awful hard the last year or two, Nell. Of 
course, the mother didn't say nothing to you up in London 
town about it. Where was the use? You was well pro- 
vided for in a rare good and respectable situation; wo 
knew you was safe, and didn't want to worry you with 
our troubles. But since Sir Archibald's married this new 
lady, he's been an altered man. He used to think a deal 
of his tenants in the old times, and I don't say he's a bad 
landlord now; but she runs him into a lot of money, I 
hear, and then the land has to pay for it. Here's a notice 


172 


A BANKEUPT HEAET. 


from the solicitor, to say the rents will all he raised again 
after next summer. It’s deuced hard on a man like me. 
I’ve spent more than I know where to put my hand on, this 
autumn, draining and manuring, and now I shall have to 
pay all I hoped to make by it on the rent. But it can’t go 
on forever. The worm will turn some day, and I shall 
chuck up the farm and emigrate.” 

“ 0 father, don’t talk like that,” cried his wife. What 
would you and I do, emigrating at our age ? ’Tisn’t as if 
we were young and strong. We should die before we had 
crossed the sea. We’ll get on, right enough, now I’ve got 
Nell to help me with the dairy, and that must keep us go- 
ing till you’re straight again.” 

You’re a good wife, Mary,” said the farmer; ^^but 
you’re a fool, for all that. Will the dairy keep the men 
and horses, and pay for the sub-soil dressings, and the fish 
manure, and the losses which every year brings with it ? 
You women don’t understand the number of expenses, 
keeping up a large farm like this, entails. I’ve only just 
done it for years past, and if the rents are to be raised, 
why, I canH do it, and that’s all.” 

“ But you won’t decide in a hurry, father,” said Nell. 

No, lass, no. But it’s very discouraging. It takes the 
heart out of a man for work, or anything. Sometimes I 
wish I had emigrated when I was young. There, out in 
Canada, the Government gives a man one hundred and fifty 
acres of land free, and if he’s got a little money of his own, 
and a little gumption, he can make a living for his family, 
and have something to leave behind him, when he goes.” 

W ell, well,” said his daughter, soothingly, if the worst 
comes to the worst, father, I will go out to Canada with 
mother and you, and we’ll see if we can’t manage to keep 
ourselves alive, somehow.” 

She put her hand on the old man’s gray head as she 
spoke, and he got hold of it, and drew it down with his 
own. 

What a soft, white thing it is,” he said, admiringly. 

You’re a good, kind lass, Nell, but I doubt if you could 
do much work with such fingers as these. Where did ye 
get them from ? AYho’d think you’d done hard work in 
your lifetime ? They look like a lady’s; so smooth and 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


173 


soft. You must have had a fine, easy place of it, up at 
Lord Ilfracombe’s, Nell. It was a pity you ever left it. 
You won’t get such another in a hurry.” 

No, father, I know that,” she answered, sadly. 

And you think you were foolish to chuck it, my girl. 
You fret a bit over it sometimes, eh, Nell?” 

Sometimes, father,” she said, in a low voice. 

Ah, my lass; you see, we never know what’s best for us. 
I was main glad to see ye home, so was mother; but if 
times get worse than they are, I shall be sorry ye ever 
came.” 

Then I’ll go to service again,” she answered quickly. 

Don’t be afraid I’ll ever be a burden on you, dear father I 
I am capable of filling many situations — a nurse’s, for in- 
stance. If, as you say, times get worse. I’ll practice on 
little Griffith, and advertise for a place in the nursery.” 

She spoke in jest; but Mr. Llewellyn took her words in 
earnest. 

Aye, my lass, and you’d get it, too! The Earl would 
give you a grand character, I’m bound to say. Wouldn’t 
he, now? Three years is a good time to stay in ono 
place.” 

‘‘'Yes, yes! of course,” said Nell, hastily, as she remem- 
bered the circumstances under which she had left Grosvenor 
Square, and hurried away, for fear her father should take it 
in his head to question her about it. 

Poor Nell! Her absent lord was never absent from her 
heart or thoughts, but she dared not indulge herself in too 
much reminiscence lest she should break down under it. 
Whilst Lord Ilfracombe was growing happier, day by day, 
in the increasing affection of his wife, the unfortunate 
woman, whom he believed to be buried beneath the bosom 
of the river, was wearying her heart out for news of him, 
and wondering, often, how she could possibly contrive to 
get sight or speech of him without attracting the atten- 
tion of her friends. By day, she had little leisure to in- 
dulge in dreaming; but as soon as night fell, and she found 
herself in solitude and silence on her bed, the ghost of her 
happy, reckless past would walk out of its sanctuary to 
confront her, and she would lie awake half the night, pon- 
dering on Ilfracombe’s appearance and recalling his ten> 


174 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


derest moments and sayings and doings, till she had 
worked herself up into a state of despair. She had per- 
suaded herself that her separation from her lover was no 
fault of his, but the combined work of Mr. Sterndale and 
the woman he had married, and that, if Ilfracombe saw 
her again, all his first admiration and affection would be 
rekindled. Nell did not stop to consider how bitterly un- 
fair this would be to his young wife. She hated the very 
thought of Nora, and would have injured her in any pos- 
sible way. Lord Ilfracombe was hers — hers alone — that 
was the way she argued, and his wife had robbed her of 
him and must take the consequences, whatever they might 
be. Her love for him was so deep — so passionate — so over- 
whelming — he could not resist nor stand against it. Had 
she only refused to let him leave England, his marriage 
would never have taken place. It had been a cheat, a rob- 
bery, a fraud, and such things never thrive. If they only 
met — if she could only meet him — he and his wife would 
both have to acknowledge the truth of what she said. 
Meanwhile, however, she could gain no news of the Earl of 
Ilfracombe, her own act of supposed suicide having put the 
possibility of hearing of him out of her reach. She could 
not come in contact with him again without her former 
position in his household being made known. For this 
reason, as long as she remained with her parents, Nell saw 
no chance of seeing him. And it was only at times that 
she desired it. At others, she felt as if the sight of her 
perfidious lover would kill her — as if she would run miles 
the other way sooner than encounter him — and these were 
the despairing moments, when she wept till she was nearly 
blind, and made her mother rather impatient because she 
would not confess what ailed her nor say what she wanted. 
The poor girl was passing through the gates of hell, 
through which most of us have had to pass during our life- 
time, in which whoever enters must leave hope behind, for 
the portals are so dark and gloomy that hope could not 
exist there. Some women will get over a disappointment 
like this in a reasonable time; some never get over it at all; 
and Nell Llewellyn was one of the latter. Her very soul 
had entered into her love for Lord Ilfracombe, and she 
could not disentangle it. It had not been an ordinary love 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


175 


with which she had regarded him, hut an ardent worship, 
such worship as a devotee renders to the god of his 
religion. I do not say that such women never love again, 
but they never forget the first love, which is ready to revive 
at the first opportunity — and which lives with them, all 
through the exercise of the second, glorifying it, as it were, 
by the halo thrown over it from the past. Nell was still in a 
state of hopeless collapse. She had not got over the news of 
Ilfracombe’s marriage in the slightest degree — she was per- 
fectly aware that he had shut the gates of paradise between 
them for evermore — yet she had often experienced this 
feverish anxiety to learn from his own lips in what light he 
regarded their separation. Meanwhile, her conscience oc- 
casionally accused her of not having behaved as kindly as she 
might to Hugh Owen — sometimes gave her a sickening 
qualm also, as she remembered she had parted with her 
cherished secret to a man who had, apparently, quarreled 
with her ever since. He had assured her it was safe with 
him; but Nell felt that he despised her for the confession 
she had made; and might not his contempt lead him to 
forget his promise ? She wanted further assurance that he 
would be faithful and true. She went over to the Dale 
Harm far oftener than she had been wont to do (which 
Hetty accepted entirely as a compliment to her baby), in 
the hope of encountering him, but he always managed to 
slink away before she reached the house, or to have some 
excuse for leaving directly afterwards. One afternoon, 
toward the end of May, however, as she distinctly saw him 
hurrying off through the fields at the back, with a book in 
his hand, Nell waited till he was well out of sight, and 
tW, altering her course, turned also and followed him up. 


176 


CHAPTER VI. 

The country was in its full spring-tide beauty. The 
hedges were gay with shepherds^ purse and pimpernel, and 
merry with the song of birds, rejoicing over their young. 
The green meadows were dotted over with the late lambs, 
skipping like the high hihs of scripture, and as Hell fol- 
lowed on Hugh Owen^s track, she trod the sweet woodruff 
under her feet. A balmy, southwest wind blew on her 
heated face, as she ran over the grassy hill, up which he 
was slowly wending his way, with his eyes bent on his book. 
She had captured him at last. A long stretch of grass- 
land lay between them yet, but there was no friendly copse, 
or orchard on the way, in which he could take shelter from 
her. Not that Hugh even knew of her approach. He had 
seen her coming up the graveled walk that led to the Dale 
Farm, and slipped out, as usual, by the back door, in order 
to avoid her. After her last words to him, he thought his 
presence must be as objectionable to Nell, as hers was dis- 
tressing to him. That she should take the trouble to fol- 
low him, never entered his head; so he went on slowly, 
poring over his book, and was more startled than she could 
imagine, when he heard a voice calling gaspingly after him : 
^^Hugh! Hugh!^^ 

He turned round then, to meet Nell’s beautiful face, 
flushed with exertion, as she panted to come up with him. 

Stop, Hugh. Stop a minute. I want to speak to you,’"" 
she said, breathlessly. 

He halted at her appeal; but he did not smile as she 
reached his side. 

“ 0 Hugh, I have wanted to speak to you for so long,’^ 
said Nell, as they stood opposite each other. What is 
the matter with you ? Why do you never come to Panty- 
cuckoo now ? ” 

He looked at her with grave surprise. 

“ Why do I never go to Panty-cuckoo now ? ” he repeated 
after her. I should have thought you were the last per- 


A BAJ^KKUPT HEART. 


177 


son to ask me that question, Nell. Have you forgotten the 
words with which you sent me from you ? 

''Yes. What did I say? Anything very dreadful? How 
little you must know of women to fancy they mean every- 
thing they say. You made me angry, I suppose, and I re- 
sented it. But that is four months ago. It^s ridiculous to 
keep up a grudge all that time.^'’ 

" I don't think you were angry," replied Hugh, in his 
low, sweet voice. " I think you were in earnest, Nell, when 
you told me to leave Panty-cuckoo Farm, and never come 
back again; and that, after what had passed between us, 
my presence would be an extra pain to you. Was it likely, 
after that, that I could intrude my company on you ? You 
must know that I didn't keep away from choice." 

"No, I didn't. I thought, perhaps, you considered me 
altogether too had to associate with — that I should con- 
taminate you, and make you unfit for the ministry; and so 
it was your duty not to come near me any more. That is 
what I thought." 

" How very little you know me," said the young man, 
with a sigh. 

" But mother and father are always asking after you," 
continued Nell, hurriedly, " and wondering why you never 
come near us, and it makes it rather awkward for me, you 
know, Hugh. I have told them all kinds of stories to ex- 
cuse your absence; but it would be much better if you 
could come and see the old people now and then. I would 
keep out of the way, if you prefer it, whilst you are there." 

He did not contradict her, only saying: 

" I should be sorry to vex Mr. and Mrs. Llewellyn, who 
have always been very good to me. I hope they thought 
it was my duties that kept me away. I should not like 
them to know that you and I have quarreled." 

"But we quarreled? " said Nell, wistfully. "Can- 
not we be friends, still, Hugh, as we were before — before — 
your last visit, you know. We are rather sad up at Panty- 
cuckoo just now. Father seems quite down-hearted about 
his farm. Sir Archibald has decided to raise the rent 
again, and father says he won't be able to make the place 
pay if he does. Sometimes he talks of emigrating — fancy, 
his doing that at his age; and oftener, the poor old man 


178 


A BAN^KKUPT HEAKT. 


says he has lived too long, and it will be a good day when 
he is carried to Usk church-yard. And what with that, 
and — and — other things, I tliink, sometimes, Hugh, that 
life is altogether too hard to bear, and it is a pity mine 
wasn^t ended when I tried to end it.^^ 

'' Poor Nell,'" said Hugh. No, don't say that. If your 
life had not held better things in store for you, surely the 
Lord would not have given it back to you, twice running. 
But I must come over and talk to your father, and see if I 
cannot cheer him up. If the worst comes to the worst, 
Nell, I don't see why he should not try his fortune in an- 
other country. He is not so very old, sixty, or thereabouts, 
I think, and he will take his experience with him, and 
sell it, maybe, to other men. There are countries, as, I 
daresay you have heard, like Canada, for instance, where 
Government gives the land away to men who can cultivate 
it, and your father must have a good sum of money sunk 
in his stock and implements. With a little money in hand, 
a man with knowledge may do wonders in Canada or New 
Zealand, and live out there as long again as he would have 
done in England." 

0 Hugh, you are talking nonsense. How would father 
and mother feel, uprooted from the old place where they 
have spent almost all their lives, and set down in a strange 
country, without a friend or acquaintance near them ? They 
would die. They couldn't stand it. It would be too great 
a wrench." 

Would not you go with them ? " asked Hugh, dubiously. 

I? 0 yes, of course, I should. But what good should 
I be to them ? Only an extra burden. If father had a 
son, it would be different. But he would require some 
strong young head and hand, to lift the greater part of the 
burden off his shoulders." 

‘‘1 agree with you. But don't stand talking here. You 
don't look fit for that yet, Nell. Surely you should be 
looking more like your old self, after all these months. Sit 
down on this turf; it is quite dry, and let us talk over what 
you have told me, together." 

He held out his hand to her as he spoke, and Nell 
availed herself of his assistance, to take a seat on the bank 
by the side of the field. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


179 


‘^0 Nell/’ he exclaimed, as he released it, ^^how hot your 
hand is, and how thin. Do you feel weak ? ” 

“Not over strong,” replied Nell, laughing as they sat 
down, side by side. It was true that she had hardly gained 
any strength worth speaking of, since her illness. The wild 
longings she indulged in — the regrets for her lost position 
— and the remorse with which she was occasionally at- 
tacked, were all working a great and abiding change in her 
constitution. The old people saw her going about as 
usual, and never heard her complain ; so they thought she 
was all right, and attributed any little languor or daintiness 
on her part to her London schooling. But Hugh, with a 
lover’s eye, perceived the change in her vividly, and noted, 
with grief, the hollowness of her eyes, and the attenuation 
of her hand. 

“ My poor girl,” he said, tenderly, as he gazed at her thin 
face; “what have you been doing to yourself? You’ve 
been fretting, sorely, I’m afraid, Nell, since I saw you 
last.” 

This direct appeal broke Nell down. No one had given 
her such sympathy as this before. 

“ 0 yes, Hugh; yes, I have,” she cried. “ I try so hard 
to forget, hut it seems impossible. I longed so much to 
come back to Panty-cuckoo. I thought the beautiful, 
quiet, peaceful country would heal my sore wound, and 
help me to forget. But it seems worse than the town. 
There, the rattle and the noise might have shut out other 
sounds. But here, in the peaceful silence, I hear voices, 
and see faces that I want to shut out from my mind, for- 
ever. 0 it is very hard, that when one tries, and wishes 
to he good, and do no wrong, God should let the devil have 
such dominion over us. Why is it, Hugh? Why doesn’t 
He hear our prayers, and let us forget? Sometimes I feel 
as if I should go mad in Panty-cuckoo, when I remember 
the time when I was a little girl, and went blackberrying 
or nutting with you and the other children, and remember 
those happy, innocent days can never, never come over 
again. O Hugh, I feel as if I had been in possession of 
untold wealth, and I had deliberately thrown it away. Will 
it always be so ? Shall I never be any better ? Am I to 
go on suffering like this to my life’s end ? ” 


180 


A BANKEUPT HEAKT. 


hope not, Nell/'’ replied the young man. You are 
not strong enough for dairy and farm work, and it leaves 
your brain too little to do, so it broods incessantly upon the 
past. The work you want, Nell, is head work — something 
by which you will feel you are benefiting others. That is 
the employment to bring peace and forgetfulness in its 
train. You should be a missionary, as I am.’'’ 

A missionary. I ? Ah, now, Hugh, you are laughing 
at me! A preacher should have no sins to look back 
upon.’'’ 

Then there would be no preachers in the world, Nell. 
I say, on the contrary, that no one can teach others, till he 
himself has been taught of God. He cannot relieve sulfer- 
ing, unless he, too, has suffered. He cannot know the 
enormity of sin, nor the trouble it .brings in its train, till 
he himself has sinned, as we all have; and if any man says 
he has not, he lies, before the God who made him.” 

“ But not like what I have,” said poor Nell, with her face 
hidden in her hands. 

Don’t you think, Nell,” said Hugh, “when you remem- 
ber all the suffering and shame and remorse that your sin 
has brought you, that you could speak very forcibly to any 
girl whom you saw in danger of running the same risk ? 
W ould not you, out of the kindness of your woman’s heart,, 
warn her not to do as you have done, and point out to her 
the pain that must succeed it ? ” 

“ 0 yes, of course, I could and would, Hugh! It would 
be very cruel not to do so.” 

“ Then, you see, you fit for a missionary. You said 
just now that if your father had a son to accompany him 
to a new country, emigration would be a different thing for 
him. Well, if he elects to go, / am willing to accompany 
him, and to be, as far as in me lies, as a son to him — aiding 
him all I can with my strong, young arm and head — on 
one condition.” 

“AVhat is the condition, Hugh? ” asked Nell. 

“That you will come, too, as my wife and helper! If 
you consent, I will show you a way to heal your sore hurt, 
that shall bring you the utmost peace at last. I don’t promise 
you happiness, though I would try hard to secure you that 
also; but peace I know you will have, for God will send it. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


181 


Come with me and be my helper and companion. We will 
go to some country so widely different from England, that 
nothing in it shall ever have the power to remind you of 
the terrible experience you have passed through here; and 
in a warmer climate you will, I hope, regain the health 
and strength which you have lost. Do you remember how 
you told me, long ago, that I was cut out for a missionary ? 
and you were right. The very thought warms my blood. 
W e will go to South Africa, or anywhere that is considered 
best for us all, and I will devote my life to securing the 
happiness of yours. Will you come? 

Kell turned round and looked at him with aston- 
ishment. 

^AVill I go to South Africa with you as your wife? 
Hugh, do you know what you are asking me ? 

Exactly. I am asking you the same thing I asked you 
four months ago, and you refused.” 

But you thought I was a different girl then from what 
you know now. I have told you all. I — I — am ” 

And here she faltered and looked down at the blades of 
grass she was twisting about in her hands. 

Let there be no misunderstanding between us, Kell. 
Let me finish the sentence for you, and donT be offended 
at what I say, for I speak plainly, so that you may be sure 
I do not deceive myself any more than you. I know now 
that you have parted with the greatest glory of your un- 
married womanhood — that you have, what the world calls, 
fallen — that you lived in a state of sin for three long years, 
knowing it to be sin, and wished for no better lot — and 
that, even at this moment, you would go back to that con- 
dition if you could. Do I speak too plainly, my dear ? Do 
I hurt you ? ” 

Kell shook her head, but did not answer him in words. 

^AVell, then, you see, there is no need for you to tell me 
anything, and if there were the remotest chance of your 
being tempted to go back to that life, or if the man 
you cared for were in a position to marry you, 1 would 
not dare to ask you to share my lot. But there is no 
chance of either of these things occurring to you. ^ The 
only future I can see before you is to live in this simple 
place, where you will have no distraction from your sad 


182 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


thoughts^ and where, maybe, you will eventually die, from 
fretting after the impossible, or from remorse for that 
which can never be undone again. If you can make up 
your mind to leave England with me, I think I can save 
you much of this. I think I can lead your thoughts to 
dwell on something better than your past life, and renovate 
your health by diverting them. I think that, with the 
help of God and time, I may be able to show you a way out 
of all this terrible trouble that bids fair to blight your 
youth, and live, perhaps, to hear you acknowledge that it 
was permitted in mercy to make you better able to sympa- 
thize with the sin and sufferings of your fellow-creatures. 
This is what I hope for, Nell, but I may be presumptuous 
in hoping it, after all.'’^ 

And you would make me your wife, Hugh, knowing all 
and hating all, as you do! 0 it is impossible! You are 
too good for me. I am not worthy to marry you — I told 
you so from the first.'’^ 

^AVe need not talk of worthiness or unworthiness to one 
another,^^ answered Hugh; we are man and woman, and I 
love you. That is quite enough. The matter lies between 
ourselves alone. No one else will ever hear of it.^^ 

“ Ah, Hugh, forgive me, but I don't love you ! Therein 
lies all the difference. I will not deceive you in the slight- 
est particular. My heart still clings to and is wrapt up in 
this — this — man. I cannot forget him. I cannot unlove 
him. For three long, happy years he taught me to regard 
him as my husband; and the fact that he never married me 
in church makes no difference to my affection. I am 
sorry — I grieve deeply, deeply, night and day, that he has 
left me in so cruel a manner, but, still, I love him. I am 
more like a widow than a wicked girl. I suppose it is part 
of my wickedness — the greatest part, perhaps — that I can- 
not feel how wicked I have been. I only know that my 
husband has left me for another woman, and that he can- 
not have realized what my love for him was, or he never 
would have done it. Is that very wicked said Nell, as 
she looked up into the young man’s face. 

The answer he made was very different from what she 
expected of him. 

''No, Nell, it is not wicked! If I had not known that 


A BAJs^KRUPT HEART. 


183 


that was the way in which you regarded the past, I would 
not have asked yon to be my wife. But the heart that can 
be so faithful to one man — the man who has betrayed it — 
will be as faithful to another, when once its tears are dried 
for the first. I, too, look on you as a widow, as something 
far more to be pitied than a widow. But it is all over now, 
my poor girl; you know that without my telling you; so, 
whether you can forget it or not, let me try to make the re- 
mainder of your life useful and happy. Will you, Nell ? 

0 Hugh, you are too good ! I never knew any one so 
good and kind in all my life before. If — if — we went far 
away from England, and all its dreadful associations, where 
we should hardly ever hear its name again, I think I could 
be happy, or, at least, contented, with you as my friend. 
And if, Hugh, it was some little time before I could think 
of you in any other light than that of a friend, you would 
not he angry, would you ? you would he a little patient with 
me, and remember how much I have suffered — how hardly 
I have been used — until I feel as if I could never trust to a 
man’s promise again.” 

If you will come with me to South Africa and help me 
in my missionary work, Nell,” said Hugh, as he took the 
listless hand hanging down by her side, and pressed it 
softly, I will never ask you for the affection nor the duty 
of a wife till you can tell me you are ready and willing to 
give it me. AVill you trust me so far ? That, if the love I 
long for should- never spring up in your heart for me, I will 
never demand it, nor worry you because it is not there, but 
still do my utmost to teach you how to lighten your heavy 
burden by working for God and God’s creatures? Do you 
believe me? Will you trust me?” 

Yes, Hugh, yes! I will trust you through everything. 
And if father and mother should elect to emigrate and 
leave the dear old farm for good and all, why, I will go 
with them and you — as your wife.” 

And she held out her hand to him as she concluded. 
Hugh seized it and carried it to his lips. 

You have made me so happy!” he exclaimed. '^0 
Nell, whether as friends or as husband and wife, you are 
my Nell, now, for evermore! And I will never let you go 
again ! ” 


184 


CHAPTER YIL 

As Nell walked back to Panty-cuckoo Farm alone (for 
she would not let Hugh accompany her), she could not 
decide if she were pleased or sorry at what had taken place 
between them. Certainly, she did not realize it. She was 
as much Lord Ilfracombe^s widow as she had been on set- 
ting out, and did not feel like the betrothed of anybody. 
But one thing did seem to please her — the idea of leaving 
England and all its sad associations behind, and going to a 
new country to live amidst new surroundings and new 
people. Her heart had been growing faint and sick with 
England for a long time past. To go to South Africa — to 
sail on the sea — to see the wondrous vegetation that adorns 
it, the hedges of cacti, the bowers of orange trees, the 
ostriches and the gorillas— all the wonders, in fact, of 
which she had read in the books which Hugh had lent her — 
this was what she thought of most, as she wended her way 
slowly homeward. If an occasional remembrance struck 
her, that they could not be enjoyed without the accompani- 
ment of Hugh’s society, she put it from her with a slight 
frown, and fell to thinking of the other instead. Hugh 
had said he 'would not worry her; that she should do 
exactly as she pleased; that, he would ask nothing from her 
till she was ready to grant it, and Plugh was a man of his 
word. He would not say one thing and do another. She 
was quite safe with him. They would go out to Africa 
together, and whilst he taught the men and preached to 
them, she would be kind and helpful to the mothers and 
the little black children, and show them how to make their 
clothes and take care of their health and cook their food. 
She pictured herself clad in a white dress, with a broad 
straw hat on, walking amongst her sable sisters, nursing 
them when they were sick, or joining in their merrymak- 
ings and festivities. She should forget better there, Nell 
said to herself, than in a country that reminded her at 
every turn of what she had lost. And Hugh was very 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


185 


good to her, there was no doubt of that, and would guard 
and protect her from further evil till her lifers end. He 
knew her secret and he did not despise her for it; that 
was more than she could say for anybody else. Even 
the servants in Grosvenor Square, over whom she had 
reigned supreme, had shown her, but too plainly, as soon 
as they dared, that they considered her a little lower than 
themselves. She dared not think what her father and 
mother and Hetty would say, if they were made cognizant of 
the truth. Nell knew her parents^ strict ideas on propriety 
too well. Her mother would upbraid her for having brought 
the first shame into their virtuous family — her father would, 
in all probability, turn her out of the house, and tell her 
her presence contaminated both her mother and her sister. 
The I poor, when virtuous, are very virtuous indeed. They 
cannot understand the temptations of the upper classes 
and those who are thrown in contact with them, because 
they are not subjected to the same themselves. What 
workingman has the leisure to go after his neighbor's 
wife ? When his day’s labor is over, he is too tired to go 
courting, to say nothing of the fact that his neighbor’s task 
is over at the same time, and he is keeping safe guard over 
his sheepfold. No; her own people would show no sym- 
pathy for her disgrace, Nell was quite aware of that — 
Hugh, who was so good himself and a minister of the 
gospel, was the only one she would have dared tell her 
story to, and he could so far overlook it as to wish to make 
her his wife. She owed Hugh something, and some day, 
perhaps, she might repay the debt. At present, however, 
what had passed between them was to remain with them- 
selves. She had made him promise that. She felt, if it 
were made public property, she could never get out of it 
again. What with the Owens and the Llewellyns, she 
would be forced into a marriage, to think of which made 
her shudder. Things must go on exactly as usual, till she 
knew what was going to happen at Panty-cuckoo Farm, 
and then, if her father decided to emigrate (which was by 
no means likely at present), it- would be time for h5r to 
make up her mind. Meanwhile, it all seemed a long way 
off, and Nell felt easier for the concession she had accorded 
Hugh. She had experienced so many qualms as to whether 


186 


A BAI^KRUPT HEART. 


she had been wise in placing confidence in him; but now 
there was no doubt that he would respect her secret for his 
own sake, as well as for hers. So she went back to Panty- 
cuckoo Farm in better spirits than she had displayed for 
some time past, and found her mother in close converse 
with Mrs. Hody, the housekeeper, from Usk Hall. The 
two women had tea spread before them and were evidently 
going in for a regular confab.^'’ 

Going to raise the rents again,^^ old Mrs. Hody was 
saying, as Nell walked into the room. ^MYell, I never. I 
wonder Mr. Bastian, the steward, didnT tell me of it. I 
expect he was too much ashamed. Not that it^s his doing, 
poor man. He can only follow the master’s lead. But, 
dear me, Mrs. Llewellyn, it’s easy to guess who is at the 
bottom of it. It’s my lady’s high jinks, and no mistake. 
It would take twice Sir Archibald’s money to cover them. 
Now, there’s all new papering to be put up in the bed- 
rooms. I’m sure, the paper was good enough for anybody. 
It’s not been up more than a couple o’ years, but there’s to 
be a grand party at the hall this summer, and, I suppose, 
nothing is too good for ’em.” 

‘AVhen are the family coming home, Mrs. Hody?’^ 
asked Nell. 

Next month, my lass, and you’d better get your best 
gowns ready, for there’s to be a power of young gentlemen 
with them, and no mistake. I’ve just been talking to your 
mother here, about her rooms. I wish she could let us 
have the use of four, just for a month or two, for where 
I’m to put them all, I don’t know.” 

But it is impossible, Mrs. Hody, or I’d willingly oblige 
you. But you know I couldn’t do it, even before my Nell 
came home, and it is more impossible than ever, now.” 

I could lend you the furniture,” said the housekeeper, 
coaxingly, “if that’s the obstacle. We’ve got enough 
stowed away, at the top of the house, to furnish five or six 
rooms. AVe make up sixteen beds ourselves, but they’ll be 
all full. AVhatever they can want with such a heap of 
guests, beats me. I’ve been up the village this afternoon, 
to see if the AVilkins’ or Turners’ girls were at home, for 
we shall want extra help; but, like my luck, they’re all in 
service.” 


A BAJ^KRUPT HEART. 


187 


Perhaps our Nell, here, might be of use to you, Mrs. 
Hody,'" interposed Mrs. Llewellyn. She’s been used to 
service, you know, and I guess she’s a good hand at it. 
What say, Nell? Will ye go up to the hall, and help Mrs. 
Hody when the folks arrive ? ” 

Nell grew scarlet. What if some of the folks” should 
have seen her in London, and recognize her ? 

0 no, mother,” she exclaimed, shrinking back. I 
couldn’t. I don’t know enough about it. I’ve never been 
in any place, remember, except in the nursery, and then as 
housekeeper. I have never done any housework, or cook- 
ing.” 

Mrs. Hody looked at the girl’s beautiful face, suspi- 
ciously. 

You’re very young for a housekeeper, especially since 
you can have had no previous experience. Who engaged 
you for the place ? ” 

‘^Lord Ilfracombe,” replied Nell, timidly — she always 
became timid when the Earl was alluded to. 

And what aged man was he, my dear ? ” continued Mrs. 
Hody. 

^^0 1 don’t know — somewhere between twenty and thirty, 
I suppose; quite young, of course; but I hardly ever saw 
him. He was often absent from home.” 

And how did the servants like taking their orders from 
such a lass as you ? Didn’t they give you trouble some- 
times ? ” went on her inquisitor. 

0 no, they were all old servants. They knew their 
duty,” said Nell, confusedly; and then she added, to hide 
her embarrassment; but do tell me, Mrs. Hody, the names 
of some of the visitors you are expecting. It is such an 
event to see strangers in IJsk. Are there lords and ladies 
amongst them ? ” 

Lords and ladies, my dear ? Why, they’re most all lords 
and ladies this time, asked on purpose to meet a royal 
prince, who has condescended to stay for a week with Sir 
Archibald. Lor! what a fuss my lady will make over him, 
to be sure. I expect she’s half wild with joy that he is 
coming. And there’ll be more cards and high play than 
ever, I suppose, and turning night into day, as I’ve just 
been telling your good mother. No one in bed till two, or 


188 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


three, in the morning, and candles left guttering all over 
the tablecloths, and wine spilt over the carpets, and there, 
it makes me sick to talk of it. I do declare, if the play 
goes on this time, as it did last year, I shall give Sir Archi- 
bald warning. It^s scandalous. I did hear as one poor 
man — Captain Trelany was his name — was quite ruined by 
it, and has been obliged to sell out of his regiment in con- 
sequence, and go abroad. Such a wicked thing for a man 
of Sir Archibald’s age to encourage in his house; but there, 
it’s all her fault. She don’t go on a bit like a married lady, 
and I don’t care who hears me say so. A running after 
gents as she does, screaming and laughing like a school 
girl, and driving over the place like a mad woman. I’m 
sure I wish, sometimes, I’d never set eyes on her face.” 

Ah, I’m glad our Nell has nothing to do with such,” 
said Mrs. Llewellyn, for it must be a bad example for a 
young girl. My daughters have been brought up steady 
and respectable, and if I thought they would ever take to 
such ways, it would break my heart.” 

What gentlemen are you going to send to mother, Mrs. 
Hody ? ” said Nell, to turn the conversation. 

‘‘1 don’t know yet, my dear; but they are sure to be 
bachelors, so don’t you listen to any nonsense they may 
say to you. Young gentlemen are not half particular 
onough in these days. They talk a lot of rubbish to a 
pretty girl and mean nothing by it, whilst she, maybe, 
takes it all for gospel truth, and cries her eyes out when 
she finds it was only their fun. Men always have been 
took, and always will be took, by a pretty face, to the end 
of time, and think it’s an honor for any poor girl to receive 
notice from them; but don’t you believe nothing they may 
say to you, Nell, for gentlemen marry for money nowadays 
and nothing else, it strikes me.” 

But, at this adjuration, Mrs. Llewellyn ruffled up her 
feathers, like an old hen when her chickens are attacked. 

You needn’t come for to give such advice to any girl of 
mine, Mrs. Hody,” she exclaimed, quite hotly, for it isn’t 
needed! Believe any rubbish a gentleman born might say 
to her! I should think not, indeed! Nell is much too sen- 
sible for that. She knows that gentlemen’s compliments 
mean no good for poor girls, and would not encourage such 


A BAI^KRUPT HEART. 


189 


a thing for a moment. My lasses are not like the Simp- 
sons, Mrs. Hody, nor yet the Manleys. They’ve never been 
allowed to run loose for any one to talk to, but been reared 
in a God-fearing way and taught that His eye is on them 
everywhere. There’s no occasion for you to caution them, 
I can assure you. I would rather see Nell stretched dead 
at my feet than think her capable of such folly. Why,, 
who knows what it might lead to ? Gentlemen havo 
flattering tongues, sometimes, for country girls, and put 
all sorts of silly ideas into their heads. If I thought our 
Nell would even speak to such lodgers as you may chooso 
to send us, Mrs. Hody, I wouldn’t let my rooms to you, not 
if you gave me ten pounds a week for them, there! ” 

And Mrs. Llewellyn, quite exhausted by her eflorts,. 
stopped talking and wiped her steaming face round with 
her apron. 

‘‘ 0 mother, dear, why make so much of it ? ” said Nell,, 
with cheeks of crimson. I am sure Mrs. Hody never 
thought that I or Hetty would behave ourselves in an un- 
seemly way with your lodgers. It was only a kindly 
caution on her part. And you need have no fear for me,, 
believe me.” 

^^No, indeed, Mrs. Llewellyn,” interposed the house- 
keeper, anxious to make peace with her hostess; " I only 
put in my little word on account of your Nell here being 
so handsome, and I knowing bub too well what some of the 
gentlemen as come to the Hall are. Why, didn’t one of 
’em wrong poor little Katie Brown only last autumn, 
twelvemonth, stuffing the poor child’s head up with some 
nonsense about marriage not being necessary, and that he’d 
stick to her all his life, and then going off when the shooting 
was over, and leaving her with a baby at her back. Tom 
Brown was after bringing an action against the gentleman. 
— Mr. Frank Leyton it was — and getting some money out 
of him for his daughter’s shame; but the lawyer advised 
him not, for there was no evidence except Katie’s word,, 
and that wouldn’t be enough in a court of justice, he said. 
I’ve taken good care not to have any pretty girls about tho 
Hall since; and if your Nell had come up to help me, 1 
would have kept her out of their way, for such a set of un- 
principled vagabonds I never see before! ” 


190 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


“No, thank you, Mrs. Hody,^^ replied Mrs. Llewellyn, 
grandly; “no amount of wages would make me send a girl 
of mine up to the Hall after what youVe told me. My 
daughters have been very humbly born and bred, but they 
are good, virtuous lassies, though, perhaps, I should not be 
the one to say it. It would break my heart if I could think 
them capable of taking up with folks as never meant to 
marry them; and as for their father, well, I do believe heM 
take a gun and shoot ^em if he knew of it. So our Nell 
she’ll keep down to Panty-cuckoo Farm, if you please, whilst 
your family’s at home, and do her duty by keeping the 
lodgers’ rooms clean and tidy, instead of making the 
acquaintance of their occupants.” 

“There, there, mother, say no more about it, pray,” 
cried Nell, in real distress, as she carried off the tea tray, 
in order to hide her burning cheeks. It was such conver- 
sations as these that made her fearful to think what might 
happen if her secret ever became known to her parents — 
which made her contemplate the thought of South Africa 
with something very much like gratitude, and even remem- 
ber the condition attached to it, without a shudder. She 
had quite made up her mind, by this time, that she should 
never see the Earl of Ilfracombe again. She had never 
heard him mention IJsk, nor even Wales. It was not likely, 
in her simple ideas, that he would ever find his way there 
— she thought that they were as widely separated, as if the 
sea divided them. She had but two alternatives: either to 
end her days at Panty-cuckoo Farm, in the maddeningly 
quiet manner she was passing them now, or to become 
Hugh Owen’s wife, and go away with him, far, far from 
everything that could possibly remind her of the happy, 
thoughtless time she had believed would never end; and, of 
the two, the latter appeared to be the better to her. Yet not 
without her parents. That was, of course, plainly under- 
stood between Hugh and herself. But her father still 
talked despondingly of his prospects, and of the ultimate 
necessity of his making some change, and Nell seemed to see 
the future looming before her, even though it was as yet 
no larger than a man’s hand. Hugh Owen had resumed 
his visits to the farm, much to the content of Mrs. Llew- 
ellyn, and sometimes he and Nell took a stroll together, in 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


191 


the summer evenings. Only as friends, though. Notwith- 
standing the half promise she had made him, Nell would 
not permit him to consider himself anything more than 
her friend, until the matter was finally settled between 
them, and the young man was quite content it should be 
so. Perhaps he required a little time, also, to recover the 
great shock experienced on hearing NelPs story, and pre- 
ferred to gain her complete confidence and friendship, be- 
fore asking for any closer privilege. But he was happy in 
knowing that she trusted him, and never doubted but that 
the end for both of them would be a perfect union. 

So the time went on, until May was over, and Mrs. Hody 
announced that she would require Mrs. Llewellyn^s bed- 
rooms, for two gentlemen, on the following day. The task 
of preparing them was confided to Nell. There was no 
rough work to be done — Mrs. Llewellyn’s rooms being al- 
ways kept in spick and span order — but the linen sheets 
had to be taken out of the old walnut-wood press, where 
they had lain for the last year between sprigs of sweet 
lavender, and aired before the kitchen fire, and the creases 
ironed out before they were put upon the beds. Then the 
fair, white toilet covers, trimmed with lace made by the 
farmer’s great-grandmother, were spread upon the dressing 
tables, and chest of drawers, and every speck of dust 
flicked off the polished furniture. Clean lace curtains were 
hung before the windows, about which clambered the 
honeysuckles and roses, which poor Nell used to see in her 
London dreams, and before which lay the beds of flowers 
which adorned the side of the farm-house. These two 
rooms, as has been said before, lay apart from the rest of 
the domain, and opened into the bricked passage at the 
back of the parlor. They had a little private entrance of 
their own; and when they were occupied, the lodgers were 
allowed to come in and out, as they chose. This was ab- 
solutely necessary with the guests of Sir Archibald Bow- 
mant, as the revelries of Usk Hall were kept up so late, 
that the Llewellyns could not possibly have sat up for 
them. So, in that primitive place, where latch-keys were 
unknown, and robbery was unheard of, the simple farmers 
left their side-doors unfastened, and scarcely ever set eyes 
on their lodgers. When the two sleeping-chambers were 


192 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


clad in their white adornments, Nell fancied they looked 
too cold and colorless; so she fetched some old-fashioned 
vases of blue china from her mother’s store closet, and 
filled them with roses and lilies, overshadowed by graceful 
branches of crimson fuchsias, and tufts of sword grass. 
She placed one upon each toilet table, and heaved a sigh 
to see how pure and sweet and clean the rooms looked, 
like an unstained conscience in the bosom of a child. 

‘^Nell, Nell,” called her mother, from the parlor, ^‘^open 
the side door, there’s a good lass. There’s one of the Hall 
gardeners, bringing over the gentlemen’s luggage.” 

Nell did as she was desired, and encountered a man with 
some portmanteaux, and bags and plaids, in a wheelbarrow, 
standing outside the door. 

“ These are the things, miss, of the gents as is to sleep 
here,” he said. 

All right. Bring them in,” was the reply. 

The man brought the articles in, one by one, on his 
shoulders, and heaped them all down in the first room. 

But, stay,” exclaimed Nell; some must go in the other 
room. What are the gentlemen’s names ?” 

“ Sure, I don’t know, miss. All I was told was to bring 
the luggage over here.” 

Nell examined the portmanteaux first. On one were the 
initials M. L.; on the other, J. S. P. One bag had M. L. 
on it; the other was blank. The two bundles of plaids and 
umbrellas were not addressed at all. 

Take that portmanteau and that bag,” said Nell, inti- 
mating the two marked M. L., ^“^into the next room and 
leave the others here. The gentlemen can sort their own 
plaids when they come.” 

The man did as he was told and withdrew, as Mrs. Llew- 
ellyn came bustling into the room to see if the luggage be- 
tokened wealth or not. 

‘^^Nice portmantles, ain’t they, Nell?” she remarked, as 
she examined the locks and leather. Lor ! what a lot of 
money young gentlemen do spend on themselves! M. L. — I 
fancy I’ve seen him before. I think that must be Mr. Martin 
Lennox, who was down the year before last. Such a nice, 
free-spoken young man, and will be an earl some day, they 
told me. J. S. P.,” she went on, looking at the other port- 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


193 


mantean — “ IVe never seen that before. I wonder what it 
stands for — J. S. P. ? 

ly hat letters did you say ? asked Nell, curiously. 

‘ST. S. P., my dear. John something, I suppose. How^ 
ever, it don^t matter to us, so long as they don^t make too 
much noise when they come home at night. There was 
one gentleman we had once who was dreadful. He wasnT 
content with singing all sorts of songs as soon as he got 
into his room, but he must go in for dancing, and he used 
to make such a row and keep it up so late, that at last 
father and I could stand it no longer and were obliged to 
speak to Sir Archibald. There was no rest for any one; 
and when you have to be up at five o’clock, that’s no joke. 
So Sir Archibald was very good about it, and sent us a 
quieter gentleman instead.” 

But Nell had heard nothing of her mother’s discourse. 
She was kneeling down by the portmanteau marked J. S. P. 
and examining it all over. 

“ AVhat do you see there, my lass ? ” said Mrs. Llewellyn. 
“ What’s the matter with it ? Anything gone wrong ? ” 

“No, mother, nothing, nothing! ” replied the girl, as she 
rose to her feet again. ^ 

She was wondering what there was in the stranger’s port- 
manteau that seemed so familiar to her — where she could 
have seen it before — for what name the initials, J. S. P., stood. 
The intermediate letter prevented her grasping the truth 
at once. She had never associated it with the other two. 
But something about the luggage seemed to bring an old 
memory with it, and made her feel uneasy. Could it pos- 
sibly belong to some one whom she had met in Grosvenor 
Square or at Thistlemere ? — any one who might recognize 
her as having been in Lord Ilfracombe’s household ? The 
thought made her turn cold with apprehension. 

“ Both those bundles of shawls can’t belong to one gen- 
tleman, Nell,” said her mother, presently; “come and take 
me into the other room. Aye, but that’s a beauty ! And 
what a pretty plaid, too, green and orange and blue! 
Wouldn’t I like just such another to keep my feet warm 
when father drives me to market at Newport! Carry it 
carefully, lass. Don’t let the straps get loose, or maybe the 
gentleman will be annoyed.” 


194 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


But Nell had already let the plaid of green and orange 
and blue fall to the ground. She recognized it now; she 
recognized the initials also. They both belonged to Mr. 
John Portland. The thought made her head whirl! She 
sat down on the floor to recover herself. 

‘^Eh, Nell, my lass, but you're faint! " cried her mother. 

Don't sit on the bed, child, for mercy's sake! You'll ruin 
the look of the sheets, but get into the parlor as quick as 
you can. Why, what ails you? You were looking ever so 
well this morning." 

Yes, mother, and I'm all right now," said Nell, as she 
made an effort to raise herself. “ The day's warm, you 
know, and I'm only a little tired. I'll be better when I've 
had my dinner. I don't think there's anything more to be 
done to the rooms now, so I'll go and look after my own," 
and so she escaped to the shelter of her bedroom. 

But when she had time to consider the scare she had 
received, she was ready to call herself a fool for having 
been frightened so easily. 

^^The initials are certainly his," she thought, ^^and I'm 
almost sure he had a plaid something like that one; but, 
after all, I cannot be certain, and the initials, J. P., might 
flt half a hundred names. John Platt or James Philpott 
or J oseph Plowden. It is silly of me to make sure they 
belong to Mr. Portland until I have better proof. What 
should he be doing here in Usk ? I never heard him men- 
tion the place nor the name of Sir Archibald. I saw so 
much of him, they would have been sure to crop up some 
time or other. 0 I have been frightening myself with a 
bogey, I am sure I have! How weak my nerves must have 
become! I was never like this in the old days! " and Nell 
heaved a deep sigh as she spoke. 

Still, as the day drew to a close and the owners of the 
portmanteaux might be expected to arrive at any moment 
to dress for dinner, she grew so nervous she could not 
stay in the house. The flrst person she encountered out- 
side it was Hugh Owen, come to see if she would go for a 
country walk with him. 

"^No," said Nell, decidedly, ^^I can't walk to-night. 
Mother Avants me, and I have work to do indoors." 

Have you heard that all the company's arrived at the 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


195 


Hall ? ” demanded Hugh — six carriages full, the gardener 
told me, and as many more expected to-morrow.^^ 

Of course, I know it,’^ replied the girl, petulantly; 
we’ve two of them coming to sleep at the farm to-night. 
Ho you know who they are?” 

^^No, I heard no names, except those of Sir Archibald 
and Lady Bowmant. What is it that is keeping you in- 
doors, Nell?” asked Hugh. 

Nothing that concerns you,” she answered, shortly. 

He looked surprised at her manner, hut did not notice it 
openly. 

thought, if it wouldn’t take you long, you might 
come out a little later. A walk would do you good. You 
are looking very pale.” 

‘^No, I shall not go out this evening,” she replied; ^^I’m 
tired and want to be quiet and by myself.” 

‘^^That means I’m to go, then, dear?” he said, wistfully. 
That’s as you please, Hugh. Mother’s indoors and 
always glad to see you; you know that without my telling 
you; but I’m too busy to have any more time to spare. 
Good-night ! ” 

She held out her hand to him in token of farewell, and 
he was fain to accept it and take his leave of her. But, 
intuitively, he felt more upset than the occasion demanded. 
He walked on further towards a neighboring village, and 
did not return till an hour later. Then he distinguished, 
in the gleaming, a white dress cross the road, and go towards 
the Hall by way of the fields. Hugh felt sure that the dress 
belonged to Nell, and yet she had told him she should not 
leave the farm that night. And what should she want up at 
the Hall, too, just as the family had returned to it, when she 
never went near Mrs. Hody for weeks together when the 
house was empty. Hugh puzzled over this enigma for a 
long time without coming to a satisfactory solution; but he 
turned into Panty-cuckoo Farm just to see if his suspicions 
were correct. Meanwhile, Nell was creeping up to the Hall 
by a back way to gain an audience of old Mrs. Hody while 
the family was at dinner. She felt she must know the best 
or the worst before she slept that night. 

‘‘Mrs. Hody,” she said, as she burst in upon that 
worthy, making a comfortable tea otf all the tid-bits that 


196 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


came doAvn from her master^s table, mother sent me up to 
ask you if the gentlemen will take tea or coffee in the 
morning.^^ 

Lor ! my dear, neither, I should sa 5 ^ What will they 
want with troubling your mother about such things ? If 
theyVe been used to it, her ladyship will order me to send 
it down for them from the Hall. I wonder whatever put' 
such an idea into her head.” 

‘^0 she thought it best to make sure,” replied the girl; 

and, please, what are their names ? ” 

The gentlemen^s names ? Why, one is the Honorable* 
Mr. Lennox and the other is a Mr. Portland.” 

Portland ? ” exclaimed Nell. Are you sure ? Port- 
land!’^ ' 

^^Yes, my girl, I’m quite sure. Mr. John Portland, 
though I’ve never seen him at the Hall before. He comes 
from London, I believe. Sir Archibald’s always picking 
up strangers and bringing them here to eat their heads off, 
at his expense. Well, some folks have queer notions of 
pleasure, haven’t they? 0 you’re off! Well, give my re-, 
spects to your mother, and tell her to mind and keep all her 
spare cream and chickens for the Hall, for I’ll want every- 
thing she can send me.” 

‘^Yes, yes, I will tell her,” replied Nell, in a muffled 
voice, as she turned away, repeating in her inmost heart: 

What shall I do ? What shall I do ? ” 

As she walked into the farm parlor she encountered 
Hugh Owen, who looked at her through and through. 

Well, my lass,” began Mrs. Llewellyn, here’s Hugh wait- 
ing for you, you see, so I’m glad you’re come. He’s been main 
patient, sitting here for the best part of an hour.” 

Well, good-night! ” said Nell, making for the room that 
led to her chamber. 

Why, won’t you stop and talk to him a bit, now you 
have come ? ” remonstrated her mother. 

^^I have already told Hugh that I have no time for 
talking to him to-night,” replied Nell, without arresting 
her footsteps. 

“ And you told me, also, that you were not going to leave 
the farm to-night, Nell,” said the young man, with the 
least bit of reproach in his tone. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


197 


She turned round on him with unnecessary fierceness. 

“ And what is it to you if I do or not ? Are you my 
keeper ? Am I obliged to account to you for my actions ? 
My father and my mother are the only people who have 
any right to find fault with me or to regulate my gdings- 
out or comings-in, and I do not hold myself responsible to 
any one else. You are taking too much upon yourself, 
Hugh! For the future, I shall refuse to tell you any- 
thing.” 

And she fiew up-stairs, leaving both her mother and 
Hugh Owen in a state of consternation at such an unusual 
exhibition of temper on her part. 


198 


CHAPTER VIIL 

Christmas was over; the Countess Dowager, and the 
Ladies Devenish had taken their departure from Thistle- 
mere; the weather was inclement, and a great deal of time 
had to he spent indoors; which made Nora often wish that 
she and her husband were alone. One day she expressed 
something of the kind to him. She said: 

I thought people usually kept their country seats for 
the purposes of retirement; but we have never been alone 
since we came here."’"’ 

Ilfracombe laughed. 

Why, my darling, what do you call us at the present 
moment? We couldn’t well be much more alone.” 

“ Mr. Portland is here,” replied the Countess. 

Old Jack. You don’t call him anybody, surely. He’s 
as much at home at Thistlemere as we are. I wish he 
would live here altogether. I don’t know what I shall do 
when he does go. I shall be lost without my old chum to 
smoke with and talk to.” 

I don’t think you need anticipate any such calamity,” 
said Nora, with something of her old, sharp manner. Mr. 
Portland does not appear to have the slightest intention of 
moving.” 

He was thinking of it, though. He had a letter yes- 
terday which, he said, obliged him to return to town; but 
I persuaded him to write instead. It would be awfally 
dull for me if he went away, just at this time, when, there 
is nothing going on.” 

Complimentary to me,” retorted the young Countess, 
with a shrug. 

Now, my darling, you know what I mean. You are all 
the world to me — a part of myself — but you can’t sit up 
till the small hours, playing billiards and smoking cigars 
with me-.” 

^^No; I draw the line at cigars, Ilfracombe.” 

‘^And then, how many rainy and dirty days there are. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


199 


when you only feel inclined to sit over the fire, and toast 
your pretty little feet. What would become of me then, if 
J ack were not here to go potting rabbits, or turning the 
rats out of the barns with the terriers. The country is so 
frightfully dull at this time of year, you would he bored to 
death with only me to talk to."*^ 

- ‘‘ Do you think so, Ilfracombe ? ” 

“ I feel sure of it. And how should we pass the even- 
ings without our whist ? Babbage is the only man within 
hail of us, who thinks it worth his while to come over for a 
game; so, if Jack were not good enough to exile himself 
for the pleasure of our company, we should be obliged to 
import some one else, who would probably not play half so 
well.^^ 

Lord and Lady Ilfracombe were riding together at the 
time of this conversation, walking their horses slowly round 
the lanes about Thistlemere, for Nora was not an experi- 
enced horsewoman. She had had no opportunity of either 
riding or driving in Malta, and her husband was employing 
his leisure by teaching her something of both arts. She 
was a pupil to be proud of; plucky in the extreme, and only 
a little reckless, and disposed to imagine she could do it all 
at once, which kept the Earl on constant tenter-hooks 
about her. As he finished speaking to her now, she ex- 
claimed, rather impatiently: 

0 very well. Let us say no more about it,^^ and struck 
the spirited little mare she was riding sharply across the 
neck with her whip. 

The animal started, and set off suddenly at a hand gal- 
lop, nearly unseating her rider by the rapidity of her 
action. The Earl followed, in an access of alarm, until he 
saw that the mare had settled down into a moderate canter 
again. 

Nora, my darling,^’ he exclaimed, as he came up with 
her, “you mustnT do that. Leila wonT stand it. She 
will throw you some day, to a dead certainty. You gave 
me a pretty fright, I can tell you. What should I do if 
you were thrown ? ” 

“ Pick me up again, I hope,^' replied the Countess, 
laughing, as if it were an excellent joke. 

“ Yes; but with a broken limb, perhaps; and fancy, what 


200 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


my remorse would be if that happened. I should never 
forgive myself for having mounted you on the beast. But 
she really is a good-tempered thing, if you know how to 
take her.^'’ 

Just like her mistress,’^ said Nora, smiling. But, se- 
riously, Ilfracombe, I will be more careful. I don’t want 
to break my leg before I am presented at court. 

‘^Nor after it, I hope> my darling. But walk Leila, 
now, there’s a good child, and let her simmer down a little. 
You’ve made me feel just as I do when I think I’ve missed 
the trick.” 

I believe you are fonder of playing cards than anything, 
Ilfracombe,” said Nora, slowly. 

“I am — except you! But they are so jolly — there’s so 
much excitement about cards. They keep a man alive.” 

But, Ilfracombe, why need we always play for such high 
stakes ? Do you know I lost thirty pounds at ^ Sandown ’ 
yesterday evening ? ” 

Did you, dearest ? Are you cleaned out ? I will let 
you have some more as soon as we reach home.” 

No, it is not that. It would not signify once in a way, 
perhaps, but it is the same thing every night. It seems an 
awful waste of money.” 

Not if you enjoy it, dear. We must pay for our whistle, 
you know. Cards would be no fun without the stakes. 
And somebody must lose.” 

^^Yes, and somebody must win. Only, as it happens, it 
is always the same somebody, which doesn’t seem fair.” 

“Nora, what do you mean ?” 

“ Just what I say, Ilfracombe. I lose every night, so do 
you, so does Lord Babbage; and the only person who wins 
is Mr. Portland. All the money seems to go into his 
pocket.” 

“ 0 Nora, my darling! This is not fair of you. A^ou are 
prejudiced against my old chum; I have seen that from the 
beginning; but to say that dear old Jack wins all the stakes, 
night after night, is as good as saying — 0 I am sure you 
cannot mean it — you cannot think of the meaning of what 
you say.” 

“ My dear Ilfracombe, there is no meaning about it. I 
am only speaking the plain truth. I’ve seen it for a long 


A BAI^KRUPT HEART. 


201 


time. Doubtless, Mr. Portland is the best player of the 
four, and that is the reason; but it has struck me as rather 
remarkable. And it seems so strange, too, that friends 
should want or like to pocket each other's money. Why 
can't we play for the love of the game ? It would be quite 
as interesting, surely." 

^^No, no, child, it wouldn't! Whoever heard of such a 
thing as grown men sitting down seriously to play for 
love ? " cried the Earl, merrily. That's only school-girls' 
games. And I wonder to hear you, Nora, who are such a 
little woman of the world, suggesting such a thing. I 
should have thought you liked staking your money as well 
as any one." 

Perhaps it is because I am a woman of the world that 
I don't like to see my husband's money wasted. No in- 
come, however large, can stand such a strain long. Besides, 
I know it is not only cards on which you bet with Mr. Port- 
land. You go to races with him, and lose a lot of money 
there. Mr. Castelon told me so." 

It is not true, Nora; and Castelon had better mind his 
own business. Everybody must lose occasionally ; but I always 
follow Jack's lead, and he's as safe as the church clock. 
And, after all, my dear girl, I'd as soon the tin went in old 
Jack's pocket as my own. He's awfully hard up, some- 
times, and if one can't share some of one's good things with 
one's best friend, I don't know what's the use of them." 

^AYell, leave a little for me," cried Nora, gaily; and her 
husband's answer should have at least satisfied her that she 
would always be his first care. 

But she was not satisfied with regard to the nightly games 
of cards. She watched the players more closely after this 
conversation than before, and decided within herself that 
she had been correct, and Jack Portland was by far the 
heaviest and most frequent winner. One day, when they 
were alone together, she could not help congratulating him, 
in a sarcastic manner, on his continual run of good luck. 
He guessed at her meaning in a minute. 

“Do you mean to infer that I cheat ? " he asked her, 
abruptly. 

Then Nora felt a little ashamed of herself, and did not 
know what to reply. 


202 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


0 no, of course not. How could you think of such a 
thing ? Only it is evident that you are a far better ]3layer 
than Lord Babbage or Ilfracombe, and, to my mind, the 
odds are very much against them. As for poor me, you 
have ruined me already. I have lost all my pin-money 
for the next three months.^^ 

“ Nonsense! he said, rudely (Mr. Portland could be ex- 
ceedingly rude to her when they were alone). You know 
you can get as much money out of Ilfracombe as you can pos- 
sibly want. The man is infatuated with you. More fool he. 
But he’ll find out how much your love is worth some day.’^ 

Perhaps you intend to enlighten him ? ” said her lady- 
ship. She could not resist letting fly her little shafts at 
him, whatever the consequences might be. 

Perhaps I do, if you egg me on to it,” was Mr. Port- 
land’s reply. “ But seriously, my lady, don’t you attempt 
to come between his lordship and myself, or you may rue 
the day you did it. I am ‘dvaurien — adventurer — swindler 
— what you like. I’m not afraid of you or your tongue, 
because I hold the trump card, and should have no hesita- 
tion in playing it. But my income, though tolerably ex- 
pansive, is a fluctuating one, and I am compelled to eke it 
out as best I can. I amuse my friends, and I live, chiefly, 
at their expense. Lord Ilfracombe is, luckily for me, one 
of my best and greatest chums, so I cling to him like a 
double sweet pea. Until you came in the way, there has 
never been a suspicion cast on the honor of my intentions 
— the disinterestedness of my friendship. See that you 
don’t do it, that’s all.” 

And, what if I did ? ” asked Nora, defiantly, with her 
head well up in the air. Mr. Portland moved a few steps 
closer to her. 

1 would deliver those letters of yours into Ilfracombe’s 
hands within the hour,” he said, between his teeth. 

Nora quailed before his glance; but her voice was steady, 
as she replied: 

You would not. You dare not. You would ruin your- 
self for ever, and be pointed at in society as a scoundrel 
and a blackmailer.” 

Never mind what the world would say of me. Think 
only of what it would say of you” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


203 


" It could not say anything/' she retorted, with the bold- 
ness of despair. “ There would be nothing for it to say. 
There is no harm in those letters. I should not mind if 
my husband read them to-morrow." 

‘"Wouldn’t you?" said Jack Portland, with open eyes. 
“Then Pll show them to him before he is twelve hours 
older." 

“No, no," said Nora, quickly; “you would not do so 
mean an act, surely. You must have some instincts of a 
gentleman left in you. Kemember, under what circum- 
stances they were written, and that I thought at the time 
I loved you." 

“I suppose you did," replied Mr. Portland; “but they 
are delicious reading, all the same. I read passages from 
them, once, to a select party of my men friends, and they 
said they would never have guessed they were the produc- 
tions of a young lady. They voted they would have been 
warm even from a barmaid." 

“You did not. You cannot have been such a black- 
guard," exclaimed Lady Ilfracombe so shrilly that he laid 
his hand upon her arm to caution her she might be over- 
heard. “ You have promised to give me those letters back, 
over and over again, and you have not kept your word. I 
will wait no longer, but have them at once. I insist upon 
it. Do you hear me ? I will stand this treatment from 
you no longer." . 

“01 hear, fast enough, and Pm very much afraid that 
everybody else in the house, including Lord Ilfracombe, 
will hear also, if your ladyship is not a little more 
guarded." 

“ But you promised — you promised — " she continued, 
vehemently, “ and now you threaten to break your promise. 
You are no gentleman, Mr. Portland. The lowest man on 
earth would degrade himself by such vile conduct." 

“ I daresay," he answered, coolly, “ perhaps he would. 
But your behavior is enough to make a saint forget his 
natural instincts. You remind me that I promised to re- 
turn you your letters. I know I did, and if you had 
treated me decently since coming here, I might have kept 
my promise. But I won't give them to you, now. I will 
only sell them." 


^.04 


A BAKKKUPT HEART. 


What can you possibly mean ? exclaimed the Coun- 
tess. “Am I to buy back my own letters? Well, I will. 
What price do you ask for them ? 

She was standing in the oriel window of the drawing- 
room, most becomingly dressed in a gown of brown velvet, 
that seemed to match her eyes, and set off the pearly 
whiteness of her skin; and, as she put the above ques- 
tion, she curled her upper lip, and threw such an air of 
disdain into her expression, that she looked more charming 
than usual. 

“ Don^t look like that,’^ said Portland, coming nearer to 
her, “ or you will aggravate me to kiss you.^^ 

The indignant blood rushed in a flood of crimson to 
Nora^’s face and forehead, until it nearly forced tears from 
her eyes. 

“ How dare you ? How dare you ? she panted, as she 
retreated as far as she could from him. 

“ How dare I ? he repeated. “ That wasn't the way 
your ladyship used to receive the same proposition when we 
sat together under the shade of the orange trees in Malta, a 
couple of years ago. Was it now ? " 

“ I do not know. 1 cannot remember. I only know that 
your presence now is hateful to me. What sum do you 
require for those letters ? If it were half our fortune I 
would give it to you sooner than be subjected to further 
insult. Tell me how much, at once. I will sell all my 
jewels if I cannot raise the money otherwise." 

“ No, no! I'm not going to press you quite so hard as all 
that, Nora. I don't want your jewels, my dear," replied 
J ack Portland, with offensive familiarity. “ My price is — 
your silence!" 

“ Silence about what ? Do you imagine I am likely to 
talk about a matter which I would expunge with my life- 
blood if I could ? " 

“You mistake me. By your silence I mean that you 
must no longer interfere, as you seem inclined to do, 
between your husband and myself. You must not try to 
separate us in any way — not in our friendship, nor our 
pursuits, nor our sports. We like to play cards to- 
gether " 

“ You like, you mean," she interposed, sarcastically. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


205 


Plait-il!^^ acquiesced Jack Portland, with an expres- 
sive shrug; “at any rate, we have been used to play cards 
and attend races and generally enjoy ourselves as hons 
camerades, and your ladyship will be good enough not to 
attempt to put an end to these things — not to remark, in 
that delicately sarcastic way of yours, that it is always your 
humble servant who appears to win. Do I make myself 
perfectly understood ? ’’ 

“ Perfectly,” said Nora; “and if I consent to this, what 
then ? ” 

“Why, that packet of charming letters — ^twenty-five in 
all, if I remember rightly — which have afforded me so much 
consolation under our cruel separation, and which would 
prove, I feel sure, such very interesting reading for Lord’ 
Ilfracombe, shall remain in my custody, safe from all prying 
eyes except mine.” 

“ But you promised to return them to me,” argued 
Nora; and then, with the greatness of the stake at issue 
before her eyes, and forgetting everything but that she was 
at the mercy of the man before her, the unhappy girl con- 
descended to entreaty. “0 Mr. Portland — Jack!” she 
stammered, “for God^s sake — for the sake of the past, give 
me back those letters I ” 

“How nice it is to hear you call me ^ Jack,^” said Mr. 
Portland, gazing boldly at her; “ it almost reconciles me to 
the great loss I experienced in you. When you call me 
^ Jack ^ I feel as if I could refuse you nothing.” 

“ Then will you give them to me ? ” 

“ Certainly, ma chere ; haven’t I said so a dozen times ? 
Only you must positively wait until I return to town. You 
women are so terribly unreasonable. And you, for your 
part, promise never to interfere between my old friend Il- 
fracombe and myself, and sometimes to call me ‘ J ack,’ for 
the sake of the past ? ” 

Lady Ilfracombe was shivering now, as if she had re- 
ceived a cold water douche. She realized what being in 
the power of this man meant — that he would torture her as 
a cat tortures a mouse, until he had bent her in every way 
to do his will. 

“ I promise,” she said, in a low voice; “ but if you gen- 
tlemen will play for such high stakes, you must not expect 


206 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


me to join your game. You would ruin me in no time; as 
it is, I am regularly ^ cleaned out.'’ ” 

I would rather you did not join it,^^ replied Mr. Port- 
land, seriously; ‘Uadies are seldom any good at whist, and 
I would rather play dummy any day. I suppose Ilfra- 
combe will take you to Newmarket and Epsom with him, 
but you will understand nothing of the races, so I make no 
objection to that. By the way, have you yet mentioned 
this matter of our playing high to him ? ” 

I told him I thought the stakes were high for a private 
game. But he contradicted me, and said it was no fun 
playing except for money.'’^ 

“ I should think not. However, don’t speak to him of 
such a thing again, please. Besides, it is ridiculous. He 
has an ample fortune, and can afford to do as he pleases. I 
can’t see myself why you sit in the card-room in the even- 
ings. The drawing-room is the proper place for a lady.” 

^^You would like to separate me from my husband alto- 
gether, I daresay,” cried Nora, heatedly. 

By no manner of means. You quite mistake my mean- 
ing. Such a proceeding would distress me beyond meas- 
ure. But I don’t intend to give up any of the privileges 
which I enjoyed from Ilfracombe’s intimacy before his 
marriage, for you. Had he married anybody else, it might 
have been different. But not for — you ! It would be too 
bad to ask me to give up both my lady-love and my friend 
at one stroke. You will acknowledge the justice of that 
yourself, won’t you ? ” 

“ Don’t ask me. I don’t Know anything,” replied the 
Countess, wearily, as she moved away. I see that you have 
come into my life again to make it miserable; and if you 
have no honor nor generosity, there is nothing left that I 
can see to appeal to.” And, in her heart, Nora added: And 
if I could stretch you dead at my feet this moment, I would 
do it without a single pang ! ” 

She was more cautious in what she said to the Earl, how- 
ever, after that, and occasionally he rallied her on having 
got over her objection to high play. Once, when they were 
quite alone, she ventured to answer him: 

^^No, Ilfracombe, I cannot say that you are right. You 
must have observed that I seldom stay in the room now 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


207 


when you are playing. I do not approve of such high 
stakes; but I do not like to interfere with your enjoyment, 
or to appear to know better than yourself. But you won^t 
tell Mr. Portland I said so,^’ she added, in a wistful tone. 
Lord Ilfracombe looked surprised. 

Tell J ack, my darling ? Why, of course not. All that 
passes between you and me is sacred. I donT think youVe 
been looking quite up to the mark lately, Nora. I^m 
afraid you must find Thistlemere rather dull. I shall be 
glad when the time comes for us to go up to town. Then 
we’ll see some life together, won’t we ? ” 

And Nora smiled faintly, and answered, ‘^yes.” 


208 


CHAPTER IX. 

The Derby was run that year, in the last week of May, 
The young Countess Ilfracombe had already been pre- 
sented at Court under the auspices of her mother-in-law; 
she had attended more than one royal function since; she 
had seen all that there was worth seeing, in town ; and she had 
entertained largely at her own house in Grosvenor Square. 
She had been fairly launched on society, in fact; and, un- 
like most heroines, it had not disappointed her. Every- 
thing was new and fresh to her; everything was delightful. 
This was what she had longed for, and dreamed of in far- 
off Malta, and her letters home were full of the pleasure 
she was experiencing, and the honors that were paid to her. 
Nora felt happier, too, and more at her ease, in the com- 
pany of her mother-in-law and the Ladies Devenish, and 
away from the close, every-day companionship of Mr. Port- 
land, who had, at last, returned to his own chambers in the 
Albany. She fluttered about, from milliner to milliner — 
theatre to theatre — like a huge butterfly; all fashion, deli- 
cate tints, smiles, and excitement. Ilfracombe, unlike his 
usual taste, seemed delighted to be her cavalier on all oc- 
casions. The truth is, he was thankful to get out of the 
house. Fond as he, undoubtedly, was of his wife, the at- 
mosphere of Grosvenor Square depressed him. He could 
not enter a single room, without being painfully reminded 
of Nell Llewellyn, and her devoted love for him. It had 
been a very real love between these two. On her side, the 
most unselflsh, adoring, humble passion — on his, a very 
appreciative acknowledgment of her single-eyed affection, 
mingled with a great admiration of her beauty. His love 
for her, however, had always been mixed with a certain 
amount of shame and uncertainty, because he knew it was 
impossible it could go on forever, and he dreaded the mo- 
ment when it would become imperative to tell her so. Nell 
had ended it all for herself, however, and but too abruptly; 
and now he could not sit in the rooms where they had for 


A BANKKUPT HEAKT. 


209 


SO long sat together, and which she had so confidently re- 
garded as her own, without finding his thoughts very much 
drawn her way, even though his lawful wife was by his 
side. He thought of the time when Nell first came to his 
house, a tall, slender girl, with a complexion like a wild 
rose, and beautiful, startled,, hazel eyes, moist with the 
dews of youth. How frightened she was when he first 
whispered his love into her ear — how passionately remorse- 
ful when he had led her astray — how wonderfully grateful 
and reverential when he told her she should thenceforth 
reign the mistress of his heart ! He looked back over the 
years she had managed his household for him, and could 
not remember one instance of her losing her temper with 
him — that passionate, indomitable temper, which was so 
quickly roused by others. How often he had wished — 
almost decided, to make her his wife, if only for the devoted 
love she bore him, but had been afraid, on consideration, of 
the sneers and disapproval of the world, and so had dis- 
missed the idea from his mind. And now — well, of course, 
he would not change his Nora for any woman; she was a 
glory to him, whilst poor Nell would only have been a dis- 
grace — still, he wished, from the bottom of his heart, that 
she had been more reasonable, and gone home quietly to 
her friends, and, by and by, married some man in her own 
station of life, who would have considered the settlement 
he wished to make on her a little fortune. Lord Ilfracombe 
wondered, by the way, who loere Nelks friends, and where 
she came from. She had never mentioned her old home to 
him. Did they know of her sad death? he wondered, or of 
the circumstances that led to it ? He thought not. She was 
not the sort of woman to betray the man she loved, even in 
death. She would have carried her secret with her to the 
grave. It was done, and it could not be undone, he would 
tell himself; but the thought made the house very distaste- 
ful to him. He became nervous, even timid. He did not 
care to enter his private rooms at dusk, and would fancy 
he heard a sigh, or caught sight of a shadowy form flitting 
by him in the gleaming. One day he called his wife Nell.'^ 
It was a fearful mistake, and his face grew crimson as he 
discovered it. But Nora was wonderfully calm under the 
little desagrement. 


210 


A BANKKUPT HEAKT. 


“Was that Miss LlewellyWs name, Ilfracombe ? she 
asked, archly. 

“ 0 my love, forgive me ! cried the Earl. “ What can I 
have been thinking of ? It was the mere force of habit. 
You know she was here with me, and it is the first time I 
have been in the house since.'’^ 

“ Did you think I should be angry asked Nora, look- 
ing back at him over her shoulder. “Surely, it is the most 
natural thing in the world that you should think of the 
poor girl. You would be a brute if you didn’t. But don’t 
get melancholy over it, dear boy. Come out in the park 
with me, or let us go down the river together. I won’t 
leave you moping here by yourself.” 

And it was such things that made Lord Ilfracombe say 
(and rightly) that he had gained a wife in a thousand. He 
was anxious that she should accompany him to the Derby 
for two reasons — anxious that she should see the biggest 
race of the year, which, of course, she had never yet had an 
opportunity of doing; and anxious to let the racing world 
see what a charming Countess he had secured. The Dow- 
ager Lady Ilfracombe was very much against the idea, and 
the Ladies Devenish said it was decidedly vulgar, and not 
at all comme il faut, 

“ If Ilfracombe had taken you to Ascot, or Goodwood, it 
would have been different; but the Derby. Why, hardly 
any ladies go there. There is always such a vulgar crowd; 
and, coming back by the road, you are bound to be in- 
sulted.” 

“Do you think so?” said Nora. “I should like to see 
the man who would dare to insult me, in Ilfracombe’s 
presence.” 

“ But you don’t know anything about it,” replied Lady 
Blanche. “The roughs who frequent the Derby course, 
make no difference between an Earl and anybody else. 
They don’t know one when they see him. And the awful 
people you will see on the race course; gipsies, and nigger 
minstrels, and low creatures of all sorts.” 

“Have you ever been there yourself?” inquired Nora. 

“ I should hope not, indeed. I would not think of such 
a thing. It is no place for ladies. I can’t imagine what 
Ilfracombe can be thinking of to let you go.” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


211 


“Well, I suppose he knows better than either of us, 
Blanche, and it was his own proposal. We are going down, 
a large party on our drag. Lady Moberly, and the Duchess 
of Downshire are going with us, so I shall offend the pro- 
prieties in good company.” 

“ 0 if the Duchess is going with you, it makes a differ- 
ence, of course. No one has ever said a word against the 
Duchess, and she is, at least, fifty, so she will give a tone 
to the whole affair, and be a sort of chaperon for you. For, 
you see, Nora, though you are a Countess, you are rather 
young.” 

“I know that,” retorted Nora; “but Fm getting the 
better of it every day.” 

“ W ell, you needn’t be fiippant, my dear,” replied her 
sister-in-law, with a sniff. “Rank has its obligations, 
though you do not appear to think so. There might have 
been some excuse for your not knowing it before your 
marriage, but there is none now.” 

“No, I suppose not. All the same, I am going to the 
Derby this year, if I never go again.” 

And off ran Nora to join her husband. The Derby day 
was for her a complete success. She was dressed becom- 
ingly — was in good health and spirits, and in the humor to 
enjoy all she saw and heard. Lord Ilfracombe’s drag, with 
its team of perfectly matched chestnuts, was one of the 
handsomest in the Four-in-hand Club, and had always at- 
tracted particular attention when he turned out for the 
annual park display. Their party consisted of the Duchess 
of Downshire; Lord and Lady Moberly; Miss Chetwynd, 
one of that season’s beauties, and several bachelors, amongst 
whom was Mr. Jack Portland — the only drawback to Nora’s 
enjoyment. But she was seated behind her husband and 
the Duchess, who occupied the box seat, and he was at the 
back of the coach, so that during the journey they did not 
exchange a word with one another. As soon as they ar- 
rived on the race course, and the horses had been taken 
out of the shafts, the servants spread their luncheon, and 
they began to have a merry time of it. Presently, Jack 
Portland’s voice was heard, exclaiming, as he looked at 
some one through his field glass: 

“ By George ! if that isn’t Sir Archibald Bowmant, my 


212 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


TJsk friend, and his wife. I told you, Ilfracombe, didn^’t I, 
that I^m going to spend a few weeks with them next 
month? They’re the best fellows in the world; awful fun; 
and don’t the old boy know a card when he sees it ! ” 

“ Friends of yours, J ack ? ” said Ilfracombe, in his hos- 
pitable way. ‘^Ask them to come here and lunch with us, 
old boy, if they’re not better engaged.” 

Shall I ? Have I your permission. Lady Ilfracombe ? 
asked Mr. Portland, looking at Nora. 

‘^Need you ask the question, Mr. Portland?” she replied, 
without glancing his way. ^Mf you have my husband’s 
leave, you have mine.” 

‘^Thanks! ” said Mr. Portland, as he descended from the 
coach. “ They may be with another party, but I’ll just 
ask. I’m sure you’ll like them. Lady Bowmant is just your 
style.” 

In a few minutes he returned with his friends and intro- 
duced them to Lord and Lady Ilfracombe. Sir Archibald 
was a stout, florid, middle-aged man, with a jolly, good- 
tempered countenance, and weak, watery, blue eyes. His 
wife, to whom he had not been married a twelvemonth, 
was many years his junior, perhaps not more than five 
and twenty, and was as good a specimen of a fast young 
woman, who just contrives not to step over the rubicon, as 
could be found anywhere. She had been a nobody, and her 
head was completely turned by having become the wife of 
a baronet. She was decidedly pretty, with a countrified 
style of beauty, and she was fashionably, but not well, 
dressed. Her manner was effusive and her voice loud, but 
she was lively, sparkling and amusing. Lady Ilfracombe, 
though indisposed to accord her a hearty welcome, just 
because she had been introduced by Jack Portland, could 
not help thawing under her lively manner, and before long 
they were all on the most excellent terms. 

How good of you to ask us to luncheon. Lady Ilfra- 
combe!” exclaimed the new-comer. “I am sure I shall 
never forget it. I do so admire anything like cordiality. You 
meet with so little of it in this country. We Englishwomen 
are horribly stiff, as a rule, are we not ? Sir Archibald and 
I were admiring your drag so much. AVe were on tho 
course when you drove up, just making our way to tho 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


213 


grand stand. It is quite a wonder we are here. We never 
meant to come; but I have never seen the Derby run, and 
Sir Archibald thought I should not go back to Wales with- 
out doing so. We drove down, but put up at the hotel. 
Are we not ignoramuses? I was just despairing of push- 
ing our way through this crowd when Jack spied us out, 
and landed us, through your goodness, in this haven of 
peace.^’ 

You have known Mr. Portland a long time, then, I sup- 
pose? remarked Nora. 

“ Why ? Because I called him ^ J ack ^ ? 0 every one 

calls him ^ Jack,^ don^t they? He^s a regular lady’s man, 
is Mr. Portland, and a great favorite with my husband. 
He is coming to stay with us in Usk next month.” 

So he told us just now.” 

^^Yes, I am quite looking forward to it. He is such a 
delightful companion in the country! Do you like the 
country. Lady Ilfracombe ? Are you fond of horses ? ” 

‘^1 am very fond of horses,” replied Nora, smiling; ^^but 
if your question means do I ride well, I must tell you that 
I never mounted a horse till after my marriage, and so I am 
still a learner.” 

“ 0 you’ll be proficient in no . time I ” exclaimed Lady 
Bowmant. Isn’t it delightful ? I adore riding and 
driving and everything connected with horses. Don’t I, 
Sir Archibald ? ” 

“You do, my dear,” said the jolly Baronet; “that is, if 
adoring means riding them to death and driving- over half 
my tenantry!” and he roared as if his wife’s feats of skill 
were the funniest things in the world. 

“Now, don’t tell tales out of school. Sir Archibald,” 
cried the lady. “You know when I hunted last season 
that there wasn’t a woman in the field who could keep any- 
where near me. And didn’t I carry otf three brushes? 
And didn’t the master of the fox-hounds say I Avas the 
pluckiest horsewoman he had ever seen ? ” 

“ 0 yes, Dolly; no one denies your pluck, my dear. Only 
I wish you .didn’t drive your' tandem over the children so 
often. The pounds I had to pay last year for mending 
babies and recouping the mothers passes belief.” 

“ Don’t you believe him. Lady Ilfracombe,” said his wife. 


214 


A BANKEUPT HEART. 


with a saucy nod; ^Hhe old man's getting in his second 
dotage and doesnh know half he says.^^ 

At this fresh sally. Sir Archibald roared again, until he 
nearly choked himself over his lobster salad and champagne. 

The races were now beginning in good earnest; but Nora 
did not take half so much interest in them as she did in the 
lively conversation of her new acquaintance, who out-talked 
the Duchess and Lady Moberly and all the other ladies put 
together. She was very keen on the racing, though, and 
explained a great deal to Nora which she would not have 
understood without her. The gentlemen of the party had 
left the drag as soon as the work of the day began, and 
found their way to the betting ring. 

Now, I hope my old man wonT pop too much on ^ Cal- 
iban,^ exclaimed Lady Bowmant, a little anxiously; ^^for 
it looks to me as if he had been a bit over-trained. I heard 
Jack recommending him to put a monkey on him; but, 
though J ack knows a thing or two, I donT always take his 
advice in racing matters. 1 expect it^s six for himself, and 
half a dozen for his friends, like most of them, eh ? ” 

I know so little of these things,^'’ replied Lady Ilfra- 
combe. Is the Derby a great race for betting on ? 

The other turned, and looked at her with surprise. 

Is the Derby a race for betting on ? she repeated. 
‘^My dear Lady Ilfracombe, men lose fortunes over it. 
They’re mad, I tell them, perfectly mad. No one likes 
spending money more than I do; but to throw it away by 
the thousand! Why, it spells ruin, for the majority, that’s 
all.” 

“I hope Ilfracombe will not be reckless,” said Nora, 
anxiously. I sometimes think he is a little disposed to 
be so, over cards and those sorts of games.” 

If he’s with Jack Portland, he’s bound to ^ go the pace,’ 
returned Lady Bowmant, laughing. ^‘Upon my word, I 
sometimes think that man’s mad. Have you ever seen him 
at baccarat. Lady Ilfracombe ? ” 

'AVho? What?” said Nora, who was vainly trying to 
follow her husband’s movements. Mr. Portland? No.” 

It’s a caution,” said her companion. I’ve had to posi- 
tively drag Sir Archibald away from him, sometimes, for 
fear he should get up from the table without a half-penny. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


215 


But it’s a lovely game. So much excitement. We are at 
it, at IJsk Hall, sometimes, till four in the morning. We 
are terrible gamblers up there.” 

‘^See!” cried the Duchess, standing up on the drag. 
« They’re off!” 

After which, they spent a couple of very fatiguing hours, 
watching the various races, and jotting down the first, sec- 
ond, and third winners on their cards, during which time 
the men did not come near them, so occupied were they 
by the business of the betting ring, and the excitement 
provided for them there. When it was, at last, all over, and 
their party returned to the drag, Nora observed that Il- 
fracombe was looking very flushed, and talking very fast, a 
sufficiently unusual circumstance with him, to attract her 
notice. Mr. Portland, on the contrary, seemed to take 
things much more coolly, whilst the Baronet had lost some 
of his hilariousness, and Lord Moberly was congratulating 
himself, that he had not been persuaded to back the 
favorite. 

W ell, and how have you all fared ? ” cried the Duchess, 
gaily, as they came within hailing distance. 

Sir Archibald, I feel certain you have been making a 
fool of yourself,” exclaimed his wife. I can see it in the 
set of your tie. Very well. Back you go to Usk to-mor- 
row, and you’ll have to put up with mutton and potatoes 
till we’ve recouped ourselves. Now, what have you lost? 
Out with it!” 

Nonsense, Dolly, nonsense,” replied the Baronet, as he 
tried to evade her scrutiny; a mere trifle, I assure you; 
not worth thinking about. When did you ever know me to 
make a fool of myself over races? ” 

Scores of times,” replied her ladyship, decidedly, as she 
whispered in his ear. Nora did not ask any questions, nor 
make any remarks; but she gazed at her husband in a wist- 
ful way, as if she would read, from his features, whether he 
had been lucky or otherwise. Ilfracombe did not volun- 
tarily look her way; but, after awhile, he felt the magnetism 
of her glance, and raised his eyes to hers. The silent 
anxiety he read in them seemed to annoy him. He frowned 
slightly, and affecting unusual hilarity, climbed to his seat, 
and seized the reins. 


216 


A BAN^KRUPT HEART. 


Now, for a good scamper back to town,” he exclaimed. 
"We must not let the riff-raff get ahead of us, or we shall 
be smothered in dust. Are you tired, darling ? ” he con- 
tinued, over his shoulder to his wife, " or would you like to 
go to the Oaks on Friday ? What do you think of our 
national race course, and our national game ? ” 

" I have been very much amused. I liked it very much,” 
answered Nora, in a conventional manner; but the tone of 
her voice did not convey much satisfaction. But as Ilfra- 
combe and she were dressing for a big dinner party, to 
which they were engaged that evening, she crept to his 
side, and asked him, shyly: 

" Did you lose much to-day, Ilfracombe ? I am sure you 
lost, or you would have told me the amount of your win- 
nings; but was it very much?” 

" I was pretty hard hit over ^ The Cardinal,^ ” he answered; 
" but nothing to howl over.” 

" Why did you take Mr. Portland's advice ? ” she said. 
" He always makes you lose.” 

" Not at all,” replied her husband. " Jack is the best 
adviser I have. Every one must lose at times. It^s absurd 
to suppose you can always win.” 

" Then why doesnT he lose also ? ” said Nora, boldly. 
"Why doesn’t he give you the same advice he follows him- 
self?” 

" My darling child, you know nothing of such matters, 
and I don’t want you to do so. They concern men only. 
And, look here, Nora, I don’t want to say anything unkind, 
but I would rather you did not interfere with my winnings 
or my losings. They are essentially my own affairs. Trust 
me to take care of myself. And now, if you are ready, we 
had better go!” 

After which, Nora was sharp enough to see that she 
would only make a bad matter worse by attempting to set 
Ilfracombe against Jack Portland, and that her only plan 
was to watch and wait until the time came when she might 
be able to influence her husband openly. 

He loved her, but he was too easily led by a stronger 
mind than his own, and he was too loyal to believe that his 
intimate friend, who shared all his good things at his pleas- 
ure, could plot to aggrandize himself at his expense. She 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


217 


had brought it on herself, Nora said, inwardly, and she 
must bear the penalty as best she might. 

A few days after the Derby, Sir Archibald and Lady 
Bowmant called upon her, and she returned their visit. 
She thought Lady Bowmant very clever and amusing; but 
she little dreamt the acquaintanceship would lead to a 
close and sudden intimacy. She was astonished, therefore, 
one morning, by her husband telling her that he had met 
the Baronet at his club the night before, and that he had ex- 
tended a most cordial invitation for them to go down to Usk 
Hall during the time that Jack Portland was to be there. 

To Usk Hall said Nora, with surprise. “But, Il- 
fracombe, we do not know the Bowmants sufficiently well 
to go and stay with them. I have only seen her three times 
in all.'’ 

“ What does that signify ? " replied her husband. “ They're 
awfully jolly people; you have said so yourself, and Jack 
says they keep it up royally at Usk Hall. The Prince of 
Huhm-Hessetal is to be there, and no end of nice people. 
You'll receive a proper invitation from Lady Bowmant to- 
morrow or next day, and I see no reason why we should not 
accept it." 

“ I thought you had agreed to join your mother's party 
at Wiesbaden?" said the Countess, dubiously. 

“0 hang my mother's party! " exclaimed Ilfracombe, ir- 
ritably. “ A lot of old fogies together. What fun should 
we get out of that ? I only said something about seeing 
her there, just to quiet her. I never meant to go. Besides, 
we can go abroad afterwards if you wish it. But neither of 
us have ever seen Wales — a most beautiful country — and 
the Bowmants' is just the sort of house to suit us. Lots of 
horses for you to ride and drive, and salmon fishing for me, 
and — well, all I can say is, that I wish to go." 

“ Of course, then, we shall go," replied his wife, quietly. 

But when the invitation actually arrived, she made one 
more appeal to the Earl, to keep her out of the way of J ack 
Portland. 

“ Ilfracombe," she said, going to seek him with the letter 
from Lady Bowmant in her hand, “ have you quite made 
up your mind ? Am I really to tell these people that we 
will go to Usk Hall and stay with them ? " 


218 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


“ Of course! Why not? Haven^t we decided to accept 
the invitation ? he demanded. 

You have, I know; but I feel sure it will prove a disap- 
pointment to both of us. You will call me silly, but I have 
such a presentiment that this visit will end in some terrible 
trouble for us. Is it only fancy, do you think ? added 
Nora, with unusual softness in her voice and manner, or 
may it not be a warning for us not to go ? 

warning! Eubbish!’^ exclaimed the Earl, as he 
kissed her troubled eyes. Now, my darling, you shall go, 
if only to prove what a little goose you are ! A warning ! 
I know what you^re thinking of. You^re afraid I shall 
succumb to the charms of the fascinating Lady Bowmant. 
Well, she is a flirt, there is no doubt of that, and she is set- 
ting her cap at me rather hard, but don’t be afraid, little 
woman. Your husband is not such a fool as he looks — and 
he means you to go with him to Usk Hall.” 


219 


CHAPTER X. 

So Lady Ilfracombe gave in with a good grace, and the 
note of invitation was duly answered and accepted. It was 
a proof of Nora's growing interest in the Earl, that she 
had quite left off trying to wield her power over him in 
little things. It was not in her nature ever to sink down 
into a very submissive wife — a meaningless echo of her 
husband — water to his wine; but she was learning to yield 
her own wishes gracefully in deference to his, and in this 
instance, as we know, she was too much afraid of Jack 
Portland to press the point. He had told her plainly, that 
if she interfered between him and Lord Ilfracombe, she 
would do it at her cost, and from what she had heard of the 
menage at Usk Hall, both from its owners and himself, she 
felt pretty sure their own invitation had been sent at Mr. 
Portland's instigation, and that he had a purpose in having 
it sent. He was not satisfied with having fleeced her hus- 
band all through the winter, he would drain his pockets 
still further at the Bowmants'; in fact, she had no doubt 
now, that he looked to the Earl as the chief means of his 
subsistence. And till she had found some way of out- 
witting him — until she had that packet of letters, the con- 
tents of which she so much dreaded her husband seeing — 
in her own hands, Nora said to herself, with a sigh, that 
she must endure Mr. Portland's insolence and chicanery. 
They had only been asked to the Hall for a week or two,, 
and they intended to limit their visit to a week. If she 
could only have foreseen what that week would bring forth ! 
It was a notable fact that Jack Portland had never tried 
to rouse the Countess' anger, or jealousy, by an allusion 
to Nell Llewellyn, and her former influence over the Earl. 
Indeed, he had not even mentioned her name before 
Nora. The reason of this was, not because he respected 
her wifehood, or herself, but because the remembrance of 
Nell was a sore one with him. He had never cared the 
least bit for Miss Abinger. He had thought her a very 


220 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


jolly sort of girl, with plenty of ^^go” in her — a great flirt 
— very fast — very smart, and slightly verging on the im- 
proper. She was a great source of amusement to him, 
whilst he stayed in Malta, and he had encouraged her in 
all sorts of larks,^'’ chiefly for the fun of seeing how far 
she would go. When their conduct had commenced to give 
rise to scandal in Valetta, and his sister, Mrs. Loveless, had 
spoken very gravely to him on the subject, he had sought 
to make the amende honorable, by proposing for the young 
lady's hand. But Sir Eichard Ahinger had rejected his 
suit with scorn. He — an impecunious adventurer, who 
lived from hand to mouth, and had no settled employment, 
presume to propose to marry his daughter Nora, and drag 
her down with himself — he had never heard of such a piece 
of impudence in his life before. So Mr. J ack Portland, 
having done the correct thing (as the lady said when she 
went to church on Sunday, and found there was to be no 
service), made haste out of Malta again, and the place knew 
him no more. The rest of the story has been told. Both 
of them had only been playing at love, and neither of them 
was hurt. Had it not been for those unfortunately bold 
und unmaidenly letters which remained in Mr. Portland's 
possession, Nora would, long ago, have forgotten all about 
f he matter. 

But there had been something in Nell Llewellyn, fallen 
woman though she was, that had made a much deeper impres- 
sion on the heart of Mr. Portland, if, indeed, he possessed such 
an article. He had not proposed to marry her — it was not 
much in his way to consider marriage a necessary accom- 
paniment to respectability; but had Nell made marriage a 
condition of their union, he would have yielded to her 
wishes, sooner or later. There was something about her 
grand devotion to Ilfracombe that attracted his worldly 
nature, that was used to associate with the most mercenary 
of her sex, and when she blazed out at him in her passion- 
ately indignant manner, repudiating, with scorn, the idea 
of his advances, he admired her still more. He thought 
Ilfracombe a fool to have given up the one woman for the 
ether; but he would have been the last man to have told 
him so. He was not going to kill the goose that laid the 
golden eggs. And a very disagreeable feeling had been en- 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


221 


gendered in him by the knowledge of Nelhs supposed fate. 
He did not want to mention her name, nor to think of her 
after that. It was a painful reminiscence which he did his 
best to drown in the distractions of cards and wine. Things 
were in just this condition when they all journeyed up to 
Usk together, and Mr. Portland's portmanteau and plaids 
were carried over to the rooms at Panty-cuckoo Farm. 
Nell was like a wild creature after she had discovered for 
certain who their owner was. To meet Mr. Portland, of 
all men in the world, would seal her fate. Where could 
she fly, in order to hide herself from him ? — what do, to 
avoid the contact of his presence? She dared not leave 
the house for fear of meeting him; she was afraid, even, to 
leave her own room lest he should have taken it into his 
head to explore the dairy or bake-house. Her mother did 
not know what had come to her. She grew quite cross at 
last, and thought it must be the arrival of the grandfolks 
at the Hall that had made her daughter so flighty and use- 
less and forgetful. 

Just as I want all the help you can give me,^^ she 
grumbled; and it^s little enough use you are to me at the 
best of times; you get one of your lardy-dardy, high-flier 
fits on, and go shivering and shaking about the house, as 
if you expected to meet a ghost in the passage or the cellar. 
Now, what made you run away in that flighty fashion, just 
now, when you were in the middle of doing the lodgers^ 
rooms ? I went in, expecting to find them finished, and 
there were half the things upset and you nowhere.^’ 

I thought I heard one of the gentlemen coming across 
the grass, and so I left the room till he should be gone 
again.” 

But why, my lass ? They wonT eat you. They're both 
as nice-spoken gentlemen as ever I see. And you must 
have met plenty of gentlefolk up in London town. It isn't 
as if you were a country-bred girl and too frightened to 
open your mouth. However, if you don't like to take 
charge of the rooms. I'll do it myself. But why won't you 
go out a bit instead ? Here's Hugh been over every even- 
ing, and you won't stir for him. I hope you're not carry- 
ing-on with Hugh, for a bit o' fun, Nell, for he's a good lad 
as ever stepped, and a minister into the bargain, and it 


222 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


would be most unbecoming in you. You must go for a 
walk with him this evening, like a good lass.^^ 

^^Not if I don’t feel inclined,” replied Nell, haughtily. 

Hugh Owen has no right to look aggrieved if I fancy 
walking hy myself. Men think a deal t^oo much of them- 
selves, in my opinion.” 

Ah, well, my lass, you must have your own way, but I 
hope you won’t play fast and loose with Hugh Owen, for 
you’ll never get a husband at this rate. I said, when you 
hrst came home, that I’d look higher than him for you, but 
you’re not the girl you were then. You’ve lost more than 
a bit of your beauty, Nell, since you had the fever, and it’s 
ten to one if it will ever come back again. And now that 
your father is so down about the farm rent being raised, 
and talks in that pitiful way about leaving the country or 
going to the workhouse, I think you might go farther and 
fare worse than Hugh Owen.” 

Very well, mother. I’ll think about it,” the girl would 
say, more to put an end to the discussion than anything 
else; and she would wander away from the farm, keeping 
well to the back of the Hall, and ready to dart off like a 
hare if she saw any chance of encountering any strangers. 

Whilst Nell was leading this hide-and-seek life, the fes- 
tivities at the Hall were going on bravely. They began, as 
the old housekeeper had said, as soon as breakfast was con- 
cluded, and were kept up till dawn the following morning. 
A few hours were certainly devoted to eating, drinking and 
sleeping — and a few more to fishing, riding and driving — 
but the intervals were filled with cards, smoke and drink, 
till Nora opened her eyes in astonishment, and wondered if 
she had got into a club in mistake for a private house. Her 
hostess appeared quite used to that sort of thing, and 
entered into it with avidity. She played whist or baccarat 
as well as any one there, and could sip her brandy and soda 
and smoke her Turkish cigarette with the keenest enjoy- 
ment. She began to think that Lady Ilfracombe was 
rather slow after a day or two, and, indeed, Nora’s fastness, 
such as it was, looked quite a tame, uninteresting thing 
beside that of Lady Bowmant. So she fell, naturally, to 
the company of the other two ladies who were staying 
there, and her husband seemed pleased it should be so, and 


A BAi^KKUPT HEART. 


223 


more than once whispered to her that the whole concern 
was a hit too warm for him, and they would certainly 
^^cut it"’ at the end of the week. All the same, he played 
night after night with his hosts and their guests, and 
seemed to be enjoying himself with the best of them. The 
other lady visitors, of whom one or two bore rather a shady 
character (though of this fact Nora was entirely ignorant), 
were ready to avail themselves of all the luxuries provided 
for them; but that did not deter them from saying such 
nasty things about Lady Bowmant behind her hack, which 
struck Lady Ilfracombe as being particularly ill-bred and 
ungrateful. 

My dear Lady Ilfracombe,” said one of them to her, 
^‘^you know she was positively nobody — a grocer’s daughter, 
I believe, or something equally horrible; and this old fool. 
Sir Archibald, was smitten by her red cheeks and ringlets, 
and. married her six months after his first wife’s death. She 
is just the sort of person to take an old dotard’s fancy. 
Don’t you agree with me ? ” 

^AVell, I am not sure that I do, Mrs. Lumley,” replied 
Nora. ^‘1 think Lady Bowmant is exceedingly good- 
natured, and no worse in her manners than many women 
whom I have met, who could boast of much higher birth. 
I know nothing of our hostess’ ancestry, so I can only speak 
of her as I find her.” 

That is not saying much,” exclaimed the other, laugh- 
ing, to see her go on with that poor Prince of Huhm-Hes- 
setal is enough to make one die of laughing. With his 
broken English, and her attempts at French, it is as good 
as a play. And the open way in which she fiatters him. 
He will think he is a little god before he leaves Usk.” 

Their ill-nature made Nora better inclined, than she 
would otherwise have been, towards the object of it, and 
she found that Lady Bowmant, though decidedly fast and 
vulgar, was so kind-hearted and frank, with it all, that she 
could not help liking her much better than she did her 
detractors. 

I know I’m an awful Goth,” she would observe, confi- 
dentially, to Nora; ^^but I can’t speak a word of French, 
and I want this poor prince, who can hardly speak a word 
of English, to feel at home with us; so I ' butter ’ him up. 


224 


A BANKEUPT HEART. 


as well as I know how. You see, Lady Ilfracombe, I wasn^t 
born to the purple. My father was a poor clergyman — ah ! 
you may stare, but it is an accredited fact, that clergymen’s 
children are always the worst — I have three brothers, the 
greatest scamps you ever knew. They ride like devils, and 
they swear like jockeys; and if you put them into a draw- 
ing-room, they don’t know what on earth to do with their 
arms and legs; but not one of them would tell a lie, or do a 
dishonorable action, to save his life. No more would I. I 
am quite aware that I’m not fit to be a baronet’s wife, but 
my old man chose me, and so I do the best I can. And, 
between you and me, and the post,” continued Lady Bow- 
mant, laughing, I think, considering how I was brought 
up, that I manage very well. The people down at our 
place thought I should eat pease with my knife, or something 
pretty of that sort, the first time I went out to a decent 
dinner; but I didn’t, and here I am, you see, with a real 
prince for my guest, to say nothing of you and Lord Il- 
fracombe. 0 I’m afraid to tell you how much I admire 
your husband, for fear you should think I want to ^ mash ^ 
him; but he really is too handsome for anything. I do so 
love fair men. I told Sir Archibald yesterday, that if the 
Earl had not been married, I couldn’t have resisted a fiirta- 
tion with him.” 

‘•Have one now,” cried Nora, merrily; “don’t mind me. 
It is quite the fashion for married men to fiirt nowa- 
days, and a lady in town told me once, that she should feel 
quite hurt if the women did not consider her husband 
worth pulling caps for.” 

“ Now, you’re just the sort of girl I like,” said Lady 
Bowmant, admiringly. “ I suppose it isn’t good manners 
to call you a ‘ girl,’ just as if you were nobody; still, you 
are younger than I am, so you must forgive me. You love 
horses, too; I can see you’re regularly plucky, by the way 
you handled my little mare yesterday, and I should love to 
make you as good a whip as myself. I may say that, you 
know, for my brothers and I rode and drove from little 
children, and it is the only thing I can do well.” 

“Except play cards, and smoke cigarettes,” put in Nora, 
slily. 

“ 0 you think that all very dreadful, I can hear it from 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


225 


the tone of yonr voice/^ replied her good-humored hostess; 

but my old man doesn’t mind it, and he’s the principal 
person to please, isn’t he ? I don’t know what he wnuld 
do at Usk, dear old chap, if I couldn’t take a hand at whist 
now and then. I have my horses, you see, but he is getting 
a bit too puffy for horse exercise, so he would be dreadfully 
dull without his little game in the evening. 0 yes, I know 
what you are going to say. Lady Ilfracombe, and in the 
mornings, too. Well, I know it is dreadfully dissipated, 
but it has grown into a sort of habit with us, till we can- 
not do anything else. But will you come round the village 
for a spin with me in my tandem ? I can show you some 
beautiful country, as well as some beautiful cobs. Sir 
Archibald has made it the fashion to deride my tandem, 
because once a stupid little child ran right under the lead- 
er’s feet, and got a few scratches; but you must not believe 
all he says. Beau and Belle are two little beauties, and 1 
am sure you will not be afraid to sit behind them.” 

“ I am quite sure, also,” replied Nora, and she went at 
once to get herself ready for the drive. 

You mustn’t be surprised to see we are going alone,” 
said Lady Bowmant, as they met again in the Hall. “ I 
never take a groom with me unless I intend calling any- 
where. They’re no earthly use, stuck up behind, listening 
to every word you say, and retailing it in the servants’ 
hall. Besides, I never knew a man do anything for me, 
that I wasn’t quite as well able to do for myself. So we’ll 
have no back seat, if it’s all the same to you.” 

“ Pray don’t alter any of your accustomed rules for my 
sake,” replied the Countess, as they emerged into the open 
together. 

The dappled-cream cobs were a picture, with their 
hogged manes, and close-docked tails. They were as per- 
fectly matched in appearance, as two horses could possibly 
be, but their tempers were the very opposite of one another. 
Beau was a darling, or rather, let us say, he would have 
been a darling, if Belle would have let him alone to do his 
business by himself. He occupied the shafts, and stood 
like a rock, with his forefeet well planted, and his neck 
curved, and his eyes looking neither to the right hand, nor 
the left. But Belle, like most of her sex, could not leave a 


226 


A BAKKRUPT HEART. 


man in peace, and thought it a bad compliment to herself, 
if he kept steady. So she tossed her pretty head and neck 
incessantly, and threw the foam from her bit in her im- 
patience to be off. Lady Bowmant, who was nothing, if 
she was not a whip, mounted to her seat, and gathered up 
the ribbons in the most artistic manner, whilst Nora placed 
herself beside her. 

“ Let go ! shouted her ladyship, and off they set. Belle 
curveting down the drive, as though she were dancing, 
whilst good little Beau threw all his soul into his work, 
and pulled the dog-cart gallantly along. 

“ Come, that won^t do,^^ cried Lady Bowmant, as she 
touched up Belle, and made her do her share; ^‘^you^re not 
going to leave all the hard work to Beau, Miss, not if I 
know it. Pull up, like a good girl, and leave off fooling. 
Aren't they a pair of darlings ? " she continued, addressing 
Nora; I value them above everything, because they were 
one of my dear old man's wedding presents to me; but they 
are distinctly precious in themselves. Here we are at the 
commencement of Usk, and now you'll see some fun. Lady 
Ilfracombe. See! how all the people, boys and girls, men 
and women, fly before me, tumbling over each other to get 
out of my way. I might be King Herod, coming to massa- 
cre the Innocents, by the manner they scuttle out of the 
road. Whoa! my beauty — there, go gently, gently. Belle. 
For heaven's sake, don't kick up any of your shines here, 
or they'll call the policeman. Have you heard that I've 
twice been stopped, and once fined for furious driving. 
Lady Ilfracombe ? " 

‘^^No, indeed, I haven't," replied Nora, who was enjoying 
the fun immensely. On they flew through the village, and 
out on the open road, the cobs having now settled seriously 
to their work, and skimming over the ground like a pair of 
swallows. When they had driven half the way into New- 
port, Lady Bowmant turned their heads homewards, and 
trotted them gently up a long hill. She had them so com- 
pletely under her control, that it was a pleasure to see 
her handle the rains, and guide them with a flick of her 
whip. 

I'd give anything to drive as you do," said Lady Ilfra- 
combe, with genuine admiration of the prowess of her com- 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


227 


panion. I should not be afraid whatever happened, whilst 
you had the reins.” 

Lady Bowmant looked pleased; hut she answered lightly: 

“ Dear me! it is nothing; only practice. I bet you could 
manage them quite as well as I do, if you tried. They are 
thoroughly well trained, you see, and that's half the battle. 
And they are thoroughbred into the bargain. You can do 
twice as much with a well-bred horse as you can with an 
outsider. Their mouths are like velvet. You could guide 
them with a bit of string; and, as for their jumping about 
a little, that's only their fun, you know; there's no vice in 
it; in fact, there's not a grain of vice between the two of 
them. I don't know what I should do without the darlings. 
They are the very joy of my life.” 

At this juncture they came across a cottage, which seemed 
to recall something to Lady Bowmant's mind. 

By the way,” she exclaimed, suddenly, I wonder how 
Phil Farley is, or if the poor old man is still alive? He 
used to be a proteg^ of mine last summer, and I often 
visited him, but I have quite forgotten to ask after him 
since my return. Would you mind my jumping down for 
a minute, Lady Ilfracombe? I should like just to inquire 
how the old man is.” 

Of course not,” said her companion, cordially. 

You will hold the reins for me ? You will not be afraid 
of them ? ” 

Not in the least,” cried Nora, as she took the ribbons 
from Lady Bowmant's hands. “ Don't hurry yourself on 
my account. I shall not mind waiting for you at all.” 

Thank you so much,” replied her hostess, as, after hav- 
ing stroked the necks of her horses and kissed their noses, 
she disappeared into the cottage. 

Nora was rather pleased to be left in sole charge. She 
had been longing to have a turn at the cobs herself. She 
had been watching Lady Bowmant's actions very closely, 
and noticed with what ease she guided the little horses — 
how quickly they obeyed her voice and the touch of her 
hand, and had been wishing all the time to try driving 
them. She had never handled a tandem in her life before ; but 
she was a plucky girl, and her very ignorance made her bold. 
So, as soon as Lady Bowmant had disappeared under the 


228 


A BANKEUPT HEART. 


low roof of the cottage, she gathered up the reins and gave 
the leader a slight flick with her whip. Belle felt the dif- 
ference of the hands at once; she was not used to that sort 
of thing; the lash of the whip had fallen on her hind 
quarters, and she threw out her heels at once, and struck 
her stable companion. Beau, full in the face. Beau re- 
sented the action; he felt hehadn^’t deserved it of Belle, the 
best part of whose work he had taken on himself all the 
morning; so he swerved a little aside, and then broke into 
a smart trot, which the coquettish Belle soon persuaded 
him to change into a canter, and, in another moment, 
before their driver knew what they were after, the pair 
were tearing off in the direction of their stables as fast as 
ever they could lay their feet to the ground, ^^ora tugged 
and tugged at the reins without producing the slightest 
effect on them. She was very inexperienced, but she could 
not help seeing that the cobs were running away and alto- 
gether beyond her control. She grew very pale, but she held 
on to the reins like grim death, and just managed to steer 
them clear of a donkey cart, which they seemed disposed to 
take in their stride. She began, already, to wonder what she 
should do when they came to the drive gates of Usk Hall, 
which curve sharply round to the left. They would assur- 
edly bolt through them, she thought, and upset the dog- 
cart, in all probability, against the postern of the gate. 
Perhaps they would kill her from the collision and the fall. 
The thought that flashed through her mind at that juncture 
was, how would Ilfracombe take the news of her death — 
what would he do without her ? 

ITn afraid I^m in for it,^" she said to herself. It^s all 
up a tree with me. I^m bound for kingdom come, as sure 
as a gun ! 

Even at that moment of danger, Nora could be senti- 
mental, though she felt the force of the situation, perhaps, 
as much as if she had been praying to heaven to avert her 
doom. On flew the cobs through the village, though, for- 
tunately, without running over anybody, and down a nar- 
row lane, on the way to the Hall. There was a sharp curve 
about the middle of it. As Nora reached the point, some 
one — a woman— suddenly rose from the bank which skirted 
the road, and stood full in the way of the flying steeds. 


A BAi^^KRUPT HEART. 


229 


catching with her hand at the reins of Belle as she passed. 
Nora thought the horses were stopped, but the next moment 
they started olf again; but the woman was not to be seen 
— she had fallen. 

^^My God!^^ thought Nora, have killed somebody! 
They have run over her! 

The arrest, however, slight as it was, had had its effect. 
Belle and Beau suddenly stood still as rocks, and Nora leapt 
at once from the cart and approached the stranger, who 
was just scrambling to her feet. 

0 how good, how brave, of you ! ” she cried. If you 
had not done that they might have dashed the cart and me 
to pieces against the gate. But have you hurt yourself ? 
Are you sure you are ah right ? 

1 think I am,^'’ replied the young woman, as she rose to 
her feet; they only knocked me down. The wheels did 
not come near me.” 

Thank God for that!” cried Nora, earnestly. I 
should never have forgiven myself if you had been hurt.” 

She gazed at the face of the country girl in amazement, 
for she thought it was the most beautiful she had ever seen. 
And so it was they first met — Nell and Nora. 



A Bankrupt Heart 


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233 


CHAPTER 1. 

But, as she looked at Nell, Nora saw a stain of blood 
showing through the sleeve of her light print dress. 

‘^But you are hurt! You are bleeding! she exclaimed, 
with horror. "0 \ am so sorry! What can I do for 
you ? 

Nell regarded the blood-stain with calm indifference. 

“ It is nothing, my lady (I presume I am speaking to 
Lady Bowmant),^"* she added, with a courtesy that struck 
Nora as uncommon with her class. 

0 no, I am not Lady Bowmant. I am only one of her 
visitors. I was driving with her, and she went into a cot- 
tage and left me with the carriage, and these two little 
brutes ran away with me. But how am I to get them home ? 
I dare not take the reins again, for my life. How far is it 
to the Hall ? 

0 the Hall is only round the corner, madame,^^ answered 

Nell. I would help you to lead them, but Here she 

hesitated, not knowing how to proceed; then, as if a sudden 
thought had struck her, she stood on tiptoe and looked over 
the hedge and called, loudly : Tom ! 

Yes, miss,^^ replied a hedger, coming at her call. 

Come round here at once and lead these horses up to 
the Hall for this lady. They are beyond her control.^^ 
Then, addressing Nora, she continued: You had better 

get in again, madame, and this man will see you safely to 
the Hall. You will want to send the carriage back for 
Lady Bowmant.^^ 

“ 0 yes, indeed ! What will she think of my disappear- 
ing in this extraordinary manner ? Thank you so much. 
I donT know what I should have done without your assist- 
ance. But I am so troubled about your arm. I am sure you 
are horribly hurt,^^ said Nora, as she mounted into the 
dog-cart. 

Please don't say anything more about it," replied Nell; 
^^at the worst it will only be a bruise. You need not be afraid 


234 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


now, madame. This man is rough, but he understands 
horses, and is very steady.^^ 

And, so saying, Nell slipped through a break in the hedge 
and was gone. 

Lady Ilfracombe arrived safely at the Hall, and a groom 
was at once dispatched to pick up Lady Bowmant, whom 
he met half way between old Farley^s cottage and the house, 
laughing heartily to herself over the disappearance of her 
friend and her carriage, having made a shrewd guess that 
Beau and Belle had taken her home, whether she would 
or not. The occurrence formed the chief topic of conver- 
sation at the luncheon table, and Nora was full of the beau- 
tiful country girl she had met and who had shown so much 
courage in stopping the runaway cobs. 

I must make her some little acknowledgment of the 
service she rendered me, mustnT I, Ilfracombe ? ” she asked 
her husband. I might have been killed if it hadnT been 
for her, and, or still worse, smashed Lady Bowmant’s pretty 
trap.” 

‘‘Of course, you must, darling,” replied the Earl; “we 
can never repay her for what she did for us.” 

“But I don’t know her name,” exclaimed Nora; “though 
I suppose she lives somewhere over the way, because she 
ordered the old hedger to lead the cobs home as if he 
were her servant. 0 she is such a pretty young woman ! 
Her face is perfectly lovely! I think it was because 
I was so occupied gazing at her that I forgot to ask her 
name.” 

“ A very pretty girl ? ” repeated Sir Archibald. “ I. 
think that must be one of the Llewellyns. They’re the 
prettiest girls for a good many miles round Usk. Isn’t 
that the case, Dolly ? ” he said, addressing his wife. 

“ Well, I’ve only seen the married one,” she replied; “but 
I know they bear that reputation. The father is a very 
handsome old man.” 

At the name of Llewellyn, Lady Ilfracombe looked up 
quickly, and the Earl and J ack Portland exchanged glances 
with each other. 

“ What is there in that to surprise you ? ” demanded their 
host, mistaking the meaning of their looks. “Wales is 
rather celebrated for beauty, you know; at least, we won’t 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


235 


allow that England, Ireland or Scotland can hold a candle 
with us in that respect.^^ 

Ilfracombe did not seem disposed to answer, so Jack 
Portland took upon himself to be spokesman. 

I have not the slightest doubt of your superiority. Sir 
Archibald,” he said, “ and was not the least surprised to 
hear you say so. I only thought I had heard the name 
before.” 

“ What! of Llewellyn ? I should be surprised if you had 
not. We are all Llewellyns, or Owens, or Lewises, or 
Thomases in AVales. lb’s one of the commonest names 
here. IVe about half a dozen Llewellyns amongst my 
tenants. But this man’s daughters are really uncommonly 
handsome. Fine, tall girls, with splendidly cut features. 
By Jove! it’s a pleasure to go to the farm, only to catch a 
glimpse of one of them.” 

And that’s why you’re always going over there, then,’^ 
cried Lady Bowmant. “ I’ve caught you at last, my gen- 
tleman. No more Panty-cuckoo Farm for you. I’ll take 
good care of that.” 

^ Panty-cuckoo Farm,’ is that where my rustic beauty 
lives?” exclaimed Nora. ^AYhat a fanciful name. What 
does it mean ? Panty-cuckoo ? ” 

“ The dell of the cuckoo, or the cuckoo’s dell,” replied 
Lady Bowmant. Yes, isn’t it pretty ? It’s the farm just 
across the road, where Mr. Portland and Mr. Lennox sleep. 
Mrs. Llewellyn is a dear old woman. I always go to her in 
any perplexity. She supplies us with all the extra eggs and 
chickens and butter we may want. Lady Ilfracombe! you 
should see her dairy. It’s a perfect picture; and everything 
about the farm is so quaint and old, and so faultlessly clean 
and neat. She and her husband are quite model tenants. 
I always take my friends to pay them a visit.” 

After luncheon, when the rest of the party had separated 
to pursue their own devices, Nora crept after her husband. 

“ Ilfracombe,” she whispered, supposing this should be 
one of her sisters ? ” 

Whose ! What are you talking about ? ” he said, 
rather curtly. 

You know. The Miss Llewellyn you have told me of.” 

What will you get into your head next ? What likeli- 


236 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


hood is there of such a thing ? Who ever said she had any 
sisters, or came from Usk? DidWt you hear Sir Archibald 
say the place was peopled with Llewellyns ? Please don’t 
get any absurd fancies into your head. The name is dis- 
tasteful to me as it is. I wish we had not heard it. Now, 
I suppose there will be a grand fuss made of the service 
this girl rendered you, and the whole family will be paraded 
out for our especial benefit. You have been a good friend 
to me in this business, Nora. Get me out of this unneces- 
sary annoyance, if you can.” 

“Of course, I will,” replied his wife, readily. “You 
shan’t be bothered if I can help it, Ilfracombe. You were 
a dear, good boy, to make a clean breast to me of the 
matter, and I’ll see you don’t suffer for it. I must remu- 
nerate the young woman, or her parents, for what she did 
this morning; so I’ll just goto the farm this afternoon by 
myself, and get it quietly over. How much should I offer 
her ? What do you think ? W ill five pounds be enough ? ” 

“ I think so; but that is as you feel about it. But, Nora 
darling, you needn’t mention our names, need you? We 
shall be gone, probably, before they have a chance of find- 
ing out anything about us; and, though I don’t suppose 
there is any chance of their being related to — to — her, yet, 
if they should be — you understand ? ” 

Lady Ilfracombe went up to her husband, and kissed his 
anxious face. 

“ I understand,” she replied, and then left the room. 

There was a slight summer shower that afternoon, and 
the rest of the Hall party had already settled themselves 
to spend it indoors. A noisy set were occupied in the bill- 
iard room, chattering and laughing over their game, and 
the more respectable scandal-mongers were working, read- 
ing, and taking away their neighbor’s characters in the 
seclusion of the drawing-room. Lady Ilfracombe donned 
a large straw hat, and, taking an umbrella in her hand, set 
forth for Panty-cuckoo Farm, without observation. She 
soon found her way through the white gate and down the 
hilly slope, and found the latched wicket that guarded the 
bricked pathway up to the house. As soon as she placed 
her hand upon the latch, Mrs. Llewellyn, as washer custom 
at the approach of any visitors, came quickly forward, to 


A BAl^KKUPT HEART. 


237 


save her the trouble of opening it, and give her a welcome 
to Panty-cuckoo Farm. 

W alk in, my lady,^^ she exclaimed, cordially. This way,, 
if you please.'’’ 

And ushering Nora into the parlor, she dusted a chair 
with her apron, and set it before her. 

0 what a lovely room!” cried Nora, enthusiastically, as 
she gazed around her. What dear old carved oak — why,, 
it must be centuries old; and what beautiful china. Don’t 
leave me alone here, pray, or I shall steal half your things. 
I suppose you are Mrs. Llewellyn. Well, you have the very 
jolliest room I ever saw in my life.” 

Mrs. Llewellyn was completely won over by this praise. 
She was very proud, as has been said before, of her room 
and oak and china, and nothing pleased her better than to 
see them appreciated. 

Many have told me so before, ma’am, but I am glad you 
like them. My husband and I have been offered pounds 
and pou7ids, sometimes, for these very things by the ladies 
and gentlemen who have visited Usk, but we could never 
make up our minds to sell them. They belonged to our 
great-great-grandparents, and there they will be till our time 
comes to leave them behind us for the benefit of our 
daughters.” 

“Your daughters, Mrs. Llewellyn ? That reminds me of 
the purpose of my visit to you. A young woman, whom I 
believe to be one of your daughters, did me a very great 
service this morning. She stopped a pair of runaway horses 
for me and saved, perhaps, my life.” 

“ Aye, that was my eldest girl. She told us of it; but ’tis 
nothing to make a fuss about, ma’am. Country girls are 
more used to do such things than town ladies. There’s not 
a girl in Usk but what would do her best to stop ahorse. I 
hope you weren’t hurt at all yourself, ma’am ? ” 

“Not a bit; but your daughter was. I saw the blood- 
stain on the sleeve of her dress. I’m afraid the horse 
touched her arm with his hoof when he threw her down.” 

“ It can’t be overmuch,” said Mrs. Llewellyn, quietly^ 
“for she never said anything to me about it; though, now 
you mention it, ma’am, I did notice a bit o’ blood on her 
sleeve, too. Lor! it’s nothing. I thought she’s got it in 


238 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


the hen-house, maybe, or the larder. It isn’t worth speak- 
ing of.” 

But I am quite of a ditferent opinion, I can assure you, 
Mrs. Llewellyn, and I came over expressly to tell you so. 
May I see your daughter? Is she in the house?” 

Certainly, ma’am, if you wish it. I’ll send her to you 
at once; and perhaps you would do us the honor to take a 
cup of tea whilst you wait. Lady Bowmant, she always has 
a cup of tea when she comes here. She says she has quite 
a fancy for our cream.” 

I will, with pleasure, Mrs. Llewellyn; indeed, I have 
heard such grand accounts of your famous dairy, that I am 
quite anxious to taste its produce.” 

The farmer’s wife bridled under the compliment, and 
turned, with the intention of leaving the room. But, as she 
reached the door, she said: 

May I take the liberty of asking your name, madame ? ” 

Nora was just about to give her maiden name, remem- 
bering her husband’s injunction, when she noticed she had 
withdrawn the glove of her left hand, displaying her wed- 
ding-ring and jeweled keepers. So, with her quick wit, 
which never found her at a disadvantage, she borrowed the 
name of one of the ladies who were even at that moment 
taking away hers in the Hall drawing-room, and answered: 
^^Mrs. Lumley.” 

Thank you, madame,” said the old woman, as she curt- 
sied and withdrew. 

In another moment she was adjuring Nell to go down to 
the parlor and hear what the lady from the Hall had to 
say to her. 

‘^0 mother, why did you say I was indoors?” she ex- 
claimed, fretfully. What should she want to see me for? 
You know how I hate seeing strangers.” 

^MVell, my lass, it is not my fault. The lady — Mrs. 
Lumley is her name — wants to thank you for what you did 
this morning; and, for my part, I think it is very pretty-man- 
nered of her to come over herself, when she might have 
written to express her gratitude. But here she is, and you 
must go down and see her whilst I make her a cup o’ tea. 
She says she’s heard so much of our dairy, that she’s quite 
anxious to taste our cream. She’s as nice-spoken a young 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


239 


lady as ever I met, and I’m sure she has good intentions 
towards you.” 

“ But I don’t want to be thanked,” repeated Nell, in the 
same tone; ‘^it was the simplest thing in the world; any one 
would have done it. I only caught at the reins as the horses 
passed me — what does she want to make a fuss about it for? 
It’s over and done with. Why can’t she leave it alone? ” 
Well, my lass, I can’t stay to answer all your testy ques- 
tions. I must go and see that the kettle boils for the tea. 
Now, go down, there’s a good girl. She’s one of the Hall 
guests, and we mustn’t otfend them, you know.” 

So Nell smoothed her rippling hair, and went down to 
the parlor with a bad grace, and stood just inside the door, 
stitf as a soldier on duty, and without speaking a word. 
But Nora did not seem to perceive her mood. She thought 
her stiffness was meant for respect. 

“0 Miss Llewellyn,” she began, ^^I’ve come over ex- 
pressly to see you, and thank you better than I could this 
morning, for the great service you rendered me. Don’t 
stand there, pray; but come here and sit down by me, and 
let me tell you how brave and courageous and good I 
think you were to do so much for a stranger.” 

Nell’s haughty shyness was overcome by the cordiality of 
her new acquaintance. She sat down, as she was asked to 
do, but not a feature of her beautiful face relaxed. She 
could not forget that she was speaking to a visitor from 
the Hall — that place which she had so much dreaded since 
she knew that Mr. Portland was staying there. 

I can’t see the particular courage of it, Mrs. Lumley,” 
she replied. I was sauntering along inside the hedge, 
looking for some of my mother’s turkey poults that had 
strayed from the yard, when your horses came tearing 
along, and I put out my hand, mechanically, to stop them. 
You are making too much of my action — indeed you are. 
Tom was only a few yards further on, clipping the hedges. 
He would have stopped them, and better than I did, and 
not been rolled so ignominiously in the dust.” 

And Nell could not help smiling at the recollection.^ 

Ah land you were kicked, or something,” exclaimed 
Nora. I saw the blood on your arm. And yet you will 
say it was of no consequence.” 


240 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


Nell rolled up the sleeve of her print dress, exposing her 
white, smooth arm. There was a long graze on it, and it 
was beginning to get discolored. 

That is all,'’^ she said, contemptuously. You doiiT call 
that anything.^^ 

But indeed I do,’^ said Nora; ^^and it was ever so good 
of you to incur it for my sake. Besides, you don’t con- 
sider the risk you ran. Because you happened to get off 
with a few bruises, it doesn’t follow that it was not quite as 
brave of you to risk getting your leg broken or your head 
run over. And there is no saying what you did not save 
me from. No, no. Miss Llewellyn, you shall not put me 
off that way. You must let me offer you some little re- 
muneration for your timely help. Don’t imagine I think 
that any money can repay you for it, but perhaps you will 
buy yourself some little present to remind you of this day, 
and how grateful I am to you.” 

And Nora placed the five-pound note gently in Nell’s 
hand as she spoke. Nell never opened it. It might have 
been for fifty pounds for aught she knew; but she took it 
up, folded as it was, and replaced it on her companion’s lap. 

“No, thank you, Mrs. Lumley,” she said, quietly. “You 
mman it kindly, I know, and I appreciate your intention; 
but I cannot take money from you for so slight a thing. 
My father would not like it — we are not in need of it — and 
I shall remember you and to-day quite well, without it.” 

Nora felt hurt and annoyed; not with Nell, but herself. 
She ought to have known better than to offer such a very 
superior sort of young woman, money. It was thoughtless 
of her — unpardonable. She thrust the offending bank 
note into her pocket, and turning, took Nell’s hand. 

“Forgive me,” she said, just as if she had known her for 
years. “ I have been a fool. I ought to have seen that 
you were above such paltry considerations. You don’t look 
like a farmer’s daughter to me. You look as if you had 
been used to so much better things. Have you lived in 
Usk all your life? ” 

“ No, not all my life,” said Nell. 

“ Have you been a governess, then, or anything of that 
sort? You seem to have had such a very superior educa- 
tion,” remarked Nora. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


241 


Do you think so ? ’’ replied Nell. She certainly seemed 
a very difficult sort of young woman to get on with. Nora 
hardly knew how to proceed. But then a sudden thought 
struck her (for hers was a generous nature), and hastily 
drawing a sapphire ring from her finger, she tried to put it 
on one of Nelhs. It was one that the Earl had given her — 
he had been accustomed to wear himself. It was what is 
called a gipsy ring — a broad band of gold, in which three 
unusually fine, dark-blue, flawless sapphires were sunk — the 
only ring which Ilfracombe had worn before his marriage. 
He had put it on Nora’s finger, at Malta, as soon as he was 
engaged to her, as proxy for one better suited to her slender 
finger, and she had refused to give it up again. Now it 
struck her that it would be just the sort of ring to present 
to a young woman whose hands were large, and used to 
rough work. So she tried to put it on the third finger of 
Nell’s left hand. 

They say it is unlucky to wear a ring on your wedding 
finger till you are married,” she said, laughing; hut, I am 
sure, Miss Llewellyn, you are far too sensible a girl to mind 
an old superstition.” 

But what are you doing ? ” asked Nell, sharply, as she 
drew her hand away. 

There, on her finger, glittered the ring she knew so well 
— had seen so often on the hand of her lover in the olden 
days. She gazed at it for a moment, fascinated as a bird 
by the eye of a snake — and then, with a sharp cry, she 
dragged the jewel off again, and it rolled under the table 
and along the polished oak floor. 

0 my poor ring! ” cried the Countess, somewhat offended 
at this determined repulse. 

Whose is it? Where did you get it ? ” exclaimed Nell, 
as she rose to her feet, with flashing eyes and trembling 
limbs. 

Where did I get it ?” echoed Nora, with amazement. 
“Why, I bought it, of course. AVhere should I have 
got it ? ” 

“No, you didn’t!” said Nell, panting; “it was given to 
you.” 

“What an extraordinary girl you are!” replied Nora, as 
she stooped to recover her ring. “ If it were given to me. 


242 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


you may be sure I have every right to pass it on to you if I 
choose. But what makes you say so ? 

W/io gave it to you ? asked Nell, without apologizing 
for her strange behavior. 

My husband, replied Nora, without thinking. 

“ Your husband! Mr. Lumley! And from whom did /le 
get it, then ? persisted the farmer’s daughter. 

Keally, I don’t see what right you have to question me 
after this fashion,” said Nora. I don’t know who he 
got it from. The jewelers’, I suppose. But, pray, don’t 
let us say another word upon the subject. It is evident 
that, instead of giving you pleasure, I have done just the 
other thing. All my stupidity, I suppose. I thought, as 
you would not take money, that the ring would have been 
more acceptable to you, but I was mistaken. Now, pray, 
don’t be angry. Let us drop the subject altogether. Ah, 
here comes your mother with the tea-tray. Mrs. Llewellyn, 
your daughter and I have been having quite a little quarrel 
over this affair. She won’t take money from me, and she 
won’t take a present, so I don’t know what to do. Perhaps 
you will be able to make her a little more reasonable after 
I have gone.” 

“Ah, ma’am, she’s very queer at times, poor lass!” said 
Mrs. Llewellyn; for Nell had taken the occasion of her 
entrance to escape to the upper story again; “she’s been 
so pulled-down and weakened by the fever, that father and 
I say we hardly know her. Sometimes I think she’ll never 
be the same girl again as she was before she left home. But 
you mustn’t think nothing more about giving her a present, 
ma’am. What she did for you, you was most heartily wel- 
come to, as her father v/ould say, too, if he was here. Sir 
Archibald has been a good landlord to us for many years 
past; and if he hadn’t taken it into his head to raise the rent, 
we shouldn’t have anything to say against him. But, pray, 
let me give you a cup o’ tea, ma’am, with cream and sugar 
to your liking.” 

And over the discussion of Mrs. Llewellyn’s excellent 
tea, Nell and her abrupt behavior were spoken of no more. 
But Lady Ilfracombe, though she did not like to vex the 
Earl by mentioning the subject to him, could not banish it 
from her mind for some time afterwards. 


243 


CHAPTER 11. 

Whilst Nora was walking, thoughtfully, back to the Hall, 
Nell was raging up and down the circumscribed limits of her 
bedroom, with her heart and brain in a tumult of suspicion 
and suspense. ^^The ring! the ring I was all she could 
say to herself. It was the EarPs ring — she was sure of that 
— she had always seen it on his finger — had so often drawn 
it off playfully and placed it on her own. She recognized 
the very color of the sapphires; they were so darkly blue 
and yet clear as a summer sea; she remembered Lord Ilfra- 
combe having told her the gems were flawless and had been 
presented in another form by an Eastern potentate to some 
ancestor of his, who had been Governor-General of India. 
She would have sworn to them amongst a thousand. How, 
then, had this woman, this Mrs. Lumley, got hold of them ? 
W as she a friend of Ilfracombe’s and had he given them to 
her ? Nell thought it unlikely. The Earl had never been 
a cavalier des dames ; besides, he was married now, and 
his family heirlooms belonged to his wife. At that, her 
thought flew to Mr. Portland. He was at the bottom of 
the mystery, perhaps. He had obtained the jewel from 
Lord Ilfracombe, either by an appeal to the latter’s gener- 
osity, or by his odious habit of gambling — laid a bet with 
the Earl about it, or won it as a stake. And, then, he 
must have given it to this lady — this Mrs. Lumley. What 
was she to him, then? Was their combined presence at 
the Hall by accident or design? Nell thirsted to learn the 
truth of it. She felt it a desecration to have seen his ring 
on the hand of another person, and to have had it offered 
to herself in that careless fashion, as if it were of no in- 
trinsic value. The ring that she had known for so long — 
that had been clasped in her hand by day — that she had 
lain with her head on by night! Poor Nell sobbed aloud 
in the agony of remembrance, as she recalled the fact that 
she had no further part nor lot in it. It was something 
more than mere suspicion that was worrying her. We 


244 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


have a sixth sense called intuition, which, as a rule, we pay 
too little attention to. The influences to which we have 
been subject — the experiences we have passed through, all 
leave a subtle something behind them, which is patent to 
the intuition of our acquaintances as theirs is to us. We 
may not recognize it, but it guides, in a great measure, our 
feelings and ideas, our likes and dislikes. It was intuition 
that drew Lady Ilfracombe to Panty-cuckoo Farm and made 
her conceive such an unusual interest in Nell Llewellyn. It 
was intuition that made Nell shrink from the friendly ad- 
vances of the woman who had supplanted her in the affec- 
tions of her lover, and burn to discover the reason that she 
was in possession of his ring. It was fate — the fate that, 
laugh at it or despise it as we will, still goes on silently but 
surely, weaving the web of all our destinies — that had 
drawn these actors in the tragedy of life together to one 
meeting-place, to fulfill the appointed end of the drama 
which they had written for themselves. The Countess 
Ilfracombe went back to Usk Hall, rather depressed than 
otherwise, for it is not pleasant to have an intended kind- 
ness thrown back in your face; and intuition told her that 
there was something mere beneath the surface of NelTs 
manner than she chose to let her know — and Nell Llew- 
ellyn was vexed with herself as well as the stranger, because 
intuition told her that Nora was not at fault, however the 
circumstances of her life might have become entangled 
with her own. She wished now that she had not been so 
hasty — that she had asked a few questions about the ring 
and where it came from. By that means she might have 
gained what she so longed for — news of Lord Ilfracombe, 
without betraying her own identity. Now that the oppor- 
tunity was past, Nell blamed herself, and wished it might 
come over again. Was it possible that she could bring 
about another interview with the lady ? — induce her once 
more to speak of her gratitude for the service rendered 
her ?— and so bring the conversation round without direct 
inquiry to her refusal of the sapphire ring? Her next 
thought was, how should she gain speech of Mrs. Lumley 
without encountering Jack Portland? Nell thought it 
would be pretty safe to visit the Hall in the evening. The , 
beautiful warm nights they were having then, were very 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


245 


likely to tempt the ladies of the party to walk about the 
grounds after dinner, whilst she knew, from experience, 
that that was the very time the gentlemen would com- 
mence to play billiards, or baccarat. If she went that way 
about eight o^clock that evening, she might have a chance 
of encountering Mrs. Lumley — at all events, some force, of 
which Nell knew not the name, drew her that way; and, as 
soon as their early supper was over, she threw a light 
shawl over her head, and stole out, as she told her mother, 
for a breath of fresh air.'’^ The Hall stood on an emi- 
nence, crowned with wood. To the back of it was a copse 
of fir trees, which formed an admirable shelter from the 
north wind, and extended down either side for some dis- 
tance. It was under cover of this plantation, that Nell 
approached the house. It was not so thick but that she 
could see from it if any one was walking in the open 
grounds that surrounded the Hall, and it was on this plan- 
tation, naturally, that the back premises, through which 
she gained access to Mrs. Hody^s apartments, looked. The 
way to it, unless one used the drive, was through some 
large meadows belonging to the estate, and Nell had tra- 
versed the whole len^h of these, and gained the back of 
the plantation, when she was startled by seeing the figure 
of a man approaching her. Her first impulse was to turn 
and fly, forgetting, in her simplicity, that it was the very 
mode to attract attention. She had turned her back upon 
the stranger, and was walking rapidly the other way, when 
she heard him say: 

Don’t let me frighten you away. You are quite wel- 
come to walk here.” 

It was the voice of Lord Ilfracombe. 

She would have known it amidst the assembled multi- 
tudes of earth, and the sound of it made her forget every- 
thing but himself. She forgot that he must suppose her to 
be dead. She forgot that he had voluntarily given her up 
— that he was a married man — everything, but that he was 
there — and she loved him. At the sound of her lover’s 
voice, as potent as the trump at the last day to rouse her 
slumbering soul, Nell turned sharply round, and cried, in a 
tone of ecstacy: 

Vernie! 0 my Vernie! ” and flew towards him. 


246 


A BAJ^KRUPT HEART. 


She was the only person in the world who had ever 
called him by that name. Lord Ilfracombe’s father had 
died before he could remember, and ever since his baby- 
hood, he had been addressed, as is usual, by his title only. 
Even his doting mother, and proud sisters had called him 
nothing else. To everybody, he had been Ilfracombe, and 
Ilfracombe alone. But when he became intimate with 
Nell, and took her about occasionally with him, to Paris, 
or Rome, it became necessary to use a little discretion, and 
he entered their names on the travelers’ books and pass- 
ports as Mr. and Mrs. Vernon, which was his Christian 
name. So she had come to call him Vernie” as a pet 
name, and he had let her do it, because it was just as well 
she should not be shouting Ilfracombe ” after him wher- 
ever they went. But the circumstance had identified her 
with the name, and when she cried ^^Vernie! -0 my 
Vernie!” in response to his words. Lord Ilfracombe stood 
still — petrified, as though he had encountered a voice from 
heaven. 

Who is it ? What do you want ? ” he answered, trem- 
bling. 

But Nell left him in no doubt. She came fiying to his 
breast, and threw her arms round him and pressed her 
warm mouth on his, and displayed all the passion she had 
been wont to do, when he returned to her after an absence 
from home. 

Vernie, my darling — my own darling!” she reiterated, 
gasping for breath. ‘^0 1 did not know you were here — I 
did not know you were here! My God ! I shall die with joy!” 

^^Nell!” he uttered, in an awed tone — Nell, is this 
really you ? ” 

Yes, yes! it is I. Who else should it he? Who has 
ever loved you as your poor Nell ? ” and she embraced 
him anew. 

But,” said the Earl, incredulously, who was drowned, 
then? They told me you were drowned, Nell. How has 
this mistake arisen, or have I been deceived by design ? ” 

^^0 Vernie! I did drown myself; that is, I tried to — I 
wanted to — I felt I could not live, my darling, without you 
or your love! What was there for me to live for, Vernie, 
when you were gone ? ” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


247 


All the EarFs remorse — all the hard things he had 
thought of himself, and all the kind thoughts he had 
had of her since he had learnt how they parted, rushed 
hack upon his mind now, and he, too, forgot everything, 
except that his conscience had been relieved from an intol- 
erable burden and that the woman he held in his arms had 
loved him faithfully for many years. 

He laid his mouth upon hers and kissed her as warmly in 
return as ever he had done in the days gone by. 

Thank God, it is not true! he exclaimed. ^"0 my 
poor Nell! I have suffered hell in thinking you had died 
by your own hand for my sake.'’^ 

too, have been in hell! she whispered. ^^0 Vernie, 
why did you leave me ? I loved you so ! 

I was a brute ! ” replied the Earl ; an ungrateful, 
selfish brute; but I will make you amends for it, if I die! 

What amends could he make her, except by giving her 
back the love he had seemed to withdraw ? Nell thought of 
no other; she would have accepted no other. She held her 
heaven in her arms now — and all the troubles of life had 
faded away. 

Your love! your love! I only want your love, Vernie !^^ 
she whispered. 

^^Y^ou have it, darling! You have always had it! ’^re- 
plied Ilfracombe, as he gazed at the lovely face upturned to 
his in the moonlight. But how thin and pale you are, 
Nell! You are not like the same girl. What has happened, 
dear, to change you so ? 

I have been ill, Vernie,^^ answered Nell; “I have had a 
bad fever and my trouble has done the rest. I have had no 
peace — no hope without you. I have been unable to eat or 
sleep. How could I, knowing you had given me up ? 0 

Vernie, why didn’t you kill me first ? It would have been 
so much kinder.” 

Lord Ilfracombe groaned. 

“ God forgive me ! I never saw what I had done before this 
night. Nell, will you ever forgive me or forget my base 
ingratitude to you, who were always so good to me ? How 
can you say you love me ? A man like myself is unworthy 
of any woman’s love. You ought, by rights, to loathe and 
execrate my very name.” 


248 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


But I don’t — I don’t ! I love you still with all my heart 
and soul! 0 Vernie, I was so wretched, so miserable, when 
I came out to walk to-night, and now I am as happy as 
the day is long. You love me still. That is all I want to 
know.” 

“ But that won’t rectify the great wrong I have done 
you, Nell. That won’t replace you in the position my self- 
ishness hurled you from. You forget — perhaps you don’t 
know — that I am — married I ” 

Nell drew herself a little away from him. 

0 yes, I know it,” she said, in a low voice; “but if you 
love me, Vernie, I have the best part of you still.” 

Lord Ilfracombe did not know what to answer. The 
great emotion — the surprise, almost the shock, of finding 
that Nell still lived, was over now, in a great measure, and 
he had time to remember his wife and how much he loved 
her (as he had never, even in the fiush of his first passion, 
loved the poor girl before him), and what she would think 
if she could see and hear him now. The disloyalty of 
which he was guilty struck him like a cold chill. Was he 
fated never to be true to any one woman? He relaxed the 
tight hold he had maintained on Nell, and putting her a 
little away from him, said, gently: 

“ I do love you, my dear; I shall always love you and re- 
member the time we spent together; but my marriage, you 
see, will prevent my showing it as I used to do.” 

“ 0 yes, of course.” 

“ Lady Ilfracombe is very good to me and deserves all 
the respect and esteem that I can show her ” (he dared not 
speak of his love for Nora to the poor wreck who stood so 
patiently hanging on his ^words) ; “ and when she heard 
that you were drowned, Nell, she was almost as sorry as 
myself ” 

“ Never mind that,” interposed Nell; “ I don’t want to 
hear about it.” 

“ but, of course, the past must be past now. It can- 

not come over again. But you must let me provide for 
your future, Nell. I will not have — it is impossible that 
you, who have been so near to me, should either work for 
your living or live without the comforts to which you have 
been accustomed. It was very naughty of you to refuse 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


249 


the settlement I wished to make upon you — more, it was 
unkind to me and when I heard' what you had said and 
done, I was very unhappy.^^ 

“It was no use, Vernie; I could not take iV^ said Nell. 

“ But you will accept it now, darling, won’t you, if only 
to prove you have forgiven me all the wrong I have done 
you, and to make me happy, too — to wipe out the bitter re- 
morse I have felt — eh, Nell?” 

She shook her head. 

“ I couldn’t. Don’t ask me, Vernie; my people know 
nothing of all this — of what you and I were to one another. 
They think I was just in service of your house and noth- 
ing more. You wouldn’t shame me before them, would 
you ? How could I account for your giving me an allow- 
ance? They would guess the truth at once. Besides, I 
don’t want it. I have everything that I can desire, except 
your love. And now I have seen you and know you love 
me still, I am quite happy, and want nothing more. 0 God 
bless you for your kindness to me. Say it once more, my 
own . darling! Say- you love me best of all the world, and 
the other woman may have your title and your money.” 

He could not say what she asked him to do, but he bent 
down his head again and murmured in her ear: 

“ I have told you so a dozen times. Do you suppose tha 
a few months can make such a difference to a man as that ? 
I could wish things had been otherwise for us, my poor 
Nell! I wish I had had the courage to marry you, years 
ago. I should have been a happier man than I am ever 
likely to be now, with the remembrance of your disappoint- 
ment haunting me like an evil spirit.” 

“No, no! it must not haunt you. It is gone!” she ex- 
claimed, with womanly unselfishness; “I shall never fret 
again, now I have seen you once more and heard you speak ! 
Kiss me, my Vernie — again — again! Ah, that is sweet! 
How many, many weary months it is — more than a year — 
since I have felt your dear lips on my own! It is like a 
draught of new wine! It has made a strong woman 
of me!” 

“And where are you going now, Nell ? ” he asked, as she 
disengaged herself from his clasp. 

“ To my home — back to Panty-cuckoo Farm, ” she replied. 


250 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


“ Ah, it is yon, then, who live at Panty-cnckoo Farm. 
Did yon not stop Lady 'Bowmant^s cobs as they were rnn- 
ning away this morning ? 

“ What! they have told you, too ? What an absnrd fnss 
they make of nothing! The lady, Mrs. Lnmley, was at the 
farm this afternoon, worrying me abont it.'’^ 

“ Mrs. Lnmley! he ejaculated, in surprise; for, thongh 
Nora had not informed him of her visit, he knew the real 
Mrs. Lnmley had not been there. “ AVhat was she like ? 

slight, willowy-looking young woman, with quick, 
brown eyes and pointed features. She was very kind, but 
she teased me so about taking a reward for doing nothing 
at all. Why, I didn’t even stop them. They stopped of 
themselves. All I did was to get myself rolled over in the 
dust. By the way,” continued Nell, as a sudden thought 
struck her, ^^are you very intimate with Mrs. Lnmley, 
Vernie?” 

By no means. Why do you ask ? ” 

Because, when I told her I couldn’t accept money at 
her hands, she took a ring oif her finger and tried to put it 
on mine. And it was your ring — the gipsy ring set with 
sapphires — I recognized it directly, and I thought I should 
have gone mad, with puzzling my brain where she got it 
and if you had given it to her. Did you ? ” 

“ Given my sapphire ring to Mrs. Lnmley ? Most cer- 
tainly not,” replied the Earl, who guessed at once that his 
sharp-witted little wife, in order to obey his injunction not 
to disclose her real name, had borrowed the other woman’s. 
“ By Jove! that was cool of her. I remember now she was 
fooling with my ring last night and put it on her own 
finger for a piece of fun. But to offer it to you! Well, I 
wish you had taken it. She would have looked very fool- 
ish when I asked where it was gone, wouldn’t she ? ” 

“0 Vernie, I couldn’t have touched it! It would have 
burned me. The dear ring I had so often played with 
myself. I have been crying all the afternoon for thinking 
of it.” 

Silly girl! I must get you one as like it as I can. But, 
now, I am afraid I must return to the house, or some of the 
fellows may come to look after me.” 

Ah,” said Nell, with a shudder, ^‘^you have that horrid 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


251 


Mr. Portland there. Vernie, you will not tell him you 
have met me, will 3^11 ? 

“ Certainly not. It is the last thing I should do. But 
I cannot understand why all you women should seem to 
take a dislike to dear old Jack. He is the best fellow I 
know.'’^ 

Vernie, he was never your friend,” said Nell, earnestly. 
^^You wouldn’t believe it in the old days. Try to believe 
it now.” 

No, Nell, I cannot, not till I have some better proofs 
than another’s word. Lady Ilfracombe is always dinning 
the same thing into my ears, but without effect. Jack has 
always been true to me, so far as I know, and I speak of a 
man as I find him.” 

Vernie,” said Nell, after a pause, ^^is she fond of you ? ”■ 

He knew she alluded to his wife, and answered: 

I think so. I hope so. If people have to pass their 
lives together, it is best they should be good friends, 
isn’t it?” 

Yes,” replied the girl, as she slowly moved away. 

He was just going to call out Good-night ” to her, when 
she came back rapidly. 

‘^0 Vernie, she doesn’t love you as I did! Tell me that 
she doesn’t I ” 

^^No, dear, no!” he answered, gravely, I don’t think 
she does.” 

And you don’t love her as you did me?” she persisted; 
and again Lord Ilfracombe was able to answer with truth, 
^^No!” 

She threw her arms passionately round him and in- 
quired : 

When shall we meet again ? Where can I see you, 
Vernie? The minutes will seem like hours till then.” 

Nellie,” he said, seriously, ^^you know it is impos- 
sible that we can meet like this in any safety. I am over- 
joyed — more overjoyed than I can tell you to find you are 
living, whom I have mourned as dead; but I am here only 
for a few days, and my time is not my own. Were I to say 
that I would meet you here to-morrow evening, I might bo 
prevented, and you would think me unkind. But you 
will know that I am thinking of you all the same, and if 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


we meet, it will be an unexpected pleasure for us both, 
eh?^^ 

He spoke kindly, but Nell, with the unerring instinct 
which love gives to women, read between the lines, and saw 
that, whatever he might say. Lord Ilfracombe would rather 
not meet her again in IJsk. 

Yes, you are right,” she answered, slowly. ^‘^But, 0 it 
is so hard to see you once and, perhaps, not again for ages 
— ^like a drop of water to a man who is dying of thirst ! 0 

Vernie, I must go! This has been heaven to me, but so 
much too short. Good-bye I God bless you ! I will pray 
every moment that we may meet again.” 

She heaved a deep sigh as she pronounced her farewell, 
and flitted down the grassy slope in the gleaming, on her 
way to the farm again. And some one saw her — Hugh 
Owen, who had been lingering about the road, in hopes of 
catching a glimpse of Nell, had watched more than half 
her interview with Lord Ilfracombe. He could not distin- 
guish their words; he was too far off, but he had seen the two 
figures engaged in earnest conversation — he had seen them 
approach each other, and guessed the close embrace that 
followed — and he had seen their parting, and that Lord Il- 
fracombe watched the tall, graceful shape of his companion 
till she was out of sight — until, in fact, Nell had entered 
Panty-cuckoo Farm, and left the young minister in no doubt 
of her identity. 

And what were Ilfracombe’s feelings as he strolled back 
to Usk Hall? Not entirely pleasurable ones, we maybe 
sure. He could not but be thankful that his worst fears 
for Nell Llewellyn were allayed — that his conscience was 
no longer burdened with the thought that his desertion 
had been the means of her death— but, as he became used 
to this relief, the old sensations regarding her returned, 
and he could not help acknowledging to himself, that her 
love wearied him — that Nora’s sharpness of temper, and 
stand-offishness were as sauce piquant e after Nell’s adora- 
tion — and that, though he rejoiced to see her alive, he was 
very sorry they should have met, in such close proximity 
to the house which held his wife. He had had one or two 
doubts lately, as to whether another week of Usk Hall would 
not suit him very well — now, he had none. The sooner they 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


253 


were out of it, the better, and he should speak to Nora to- 
night about joining his mother's party at Wiesbaden. She 
and Nell must not meet again. He should not reveal the 
identity of the latter to Lady Ilfracombe, but all inter- 
course must be stopped between them. He was sorry for 
poor Nell — very, very sorry; hut, hang it all! Nora was his 
wife, and the prospective mother of his children; and, at 
all hazards, he would keep her, for the future, out of the 
other woman's way. 

This is the difference men make between their mistresses 
and their wives. The one may be the infinitely better 
woman of the two; but the law does not overshadow her, 
so she must stand, like Hagar, apart in the wilderness 
which she has created for herself. 


254 


CHAPTEK III. 

When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing- 
room of Usk Hall, he looked so pale and thoughtful, that 
the ladies began to rally him at once, on his supposed 
melancholy. Dear me! what could it be? Who could he 
have met, during his evening ramble, to make him look so 
grave? Had she failed to keep her appointment, or had 
she been unkind? The whole list of little pleasantries 
with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with 
the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his 
lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply 
food for their banter. His worry was so pre-evident, that 
his wife asked him if he had a headache. 

A little. Nothing to speak of,” he answered, quietly. 

Come along, old man, and have a game at pool,” said 
Jack Portland, in his turn; that will soon chase the vapors 
away. I expect it’s Sir Archibald’s port that’s done the 
job. It’s the most alluring wine I’\e tasted for many a day.” 

^^No, no, I won’t allow it. Nothing of the kind,” cried 
the jolly baronet. “ There isn’t a headache in a dozen of 
it. Lord Ilfracombe hasn’t had enough of it. That’s 
what’s the matter with him.” 

I think the sun may have touched me,” said Ilfra- 
combe, feebly. It has been very hot to-day.” 

^^The sun; nonsense!” exclaimed Mr. Portland. I 
never heard you give that excuse before, though we’ve been 
in several hot countries together. Come along to the bill- 
iard-room. You shouldn’t go wandering away by yourself 
in this fashion, and thinking over your sins. It’s enough 
fo give any man the blues. I couldn’t stand it myself. 
You’ll forget it before the first game’s over.” 

“No, thanks. Jack; not to-night. I don’t feel fit to com- 
pete with your excellent play. I’ll sit here instead, and 
listen to Nora’s singing.” 

And he threw himself on a sofa by his wife’s side, as he 
spoke. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


255 


“ Ulysses at the feet of Penelope/^ sneered Mr. Portland. 
^^Well, Ilfracombe, long as I’ve known you, I never saw 
you turned into a carpet knight, before.” 

Only for this evening,” said the Earl, lazily, as he set- 
tled himself comfortably on the sofa. Jack Portland ap- 
peared quite aggrieved by his defalcation. 

W ell, come along. Sir Archibald, and Lumley, and the 
rest of you fellows. Don’t let us waste our time looking 
at his lordship doing the lardidardi. He owes me my re- 
venge for the fiver he made me disgorge last night; but I 
suppose it’s no use trying to get it out of him now.” 

And with a rude laugh, he left the room. Ilfracombe 
leant back against the shoulder of his wife, and said: 

Sing something, darling, won’t you ? Something low 
and sweet, like Come to me.’ My head is really painful, 
and I want soothing to-night.” 

will sing anything you like,” replied Nora, as she 
rose and went to the piano. Her voice was not powerful, 
but she had received a first-rate musical education in Malta, 
and was an accomplished drawing-room singer. She ran 
through about half a dozen songs, one after the other, ac- 
companying herself with a delicacy of touch and artistic 
expression, which was more than half the battle. Ilfra- 
combe listened to her with a dreamy pleasure, but all the 
time he was cogitating which would be the best plea on 
which to induce Nora to leave Usk Hall. He was deter- 
mined not to run the risk of her meeting Nell Llewellyn 
again; but she was rather a willful little lady, and wanted 
to know the why and the wherefore of everything. She 
had asked him not to go to Wales, and he had insisted on 
doing so — she had begged they should not exceed the week 
for which they had accepted the invitation, and he had 
told her, but the day before, that he wished to remain as 
long as Jack did. Now, he had to invent some excuse for 
leaving directly — what should it be ? He was not a bright 
man. Had he been so, he would have known, by this time 
that, with Nora, honesty was decidedly the best policy, be- 
cause she was not easily deceived, and had he told her the 
truth, she would have been the first to wish to go. But he 
had a poor idea of women. He fancied that if his wife 
heard of the proximity of his former mistress, there would 


256 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


be a — that Nora would not be able to resist flaunt- 

ing her triumph in the other woman’s face; nor Nell, of 
telling his wife how far he had forgotten his duty to her, 
in the pleasure and relief of finding that she (Nell) lived. 
Ilfracombe was a chivalrous gentleman, but it was not in 
his nature to love, as either of these two women (whom he 
so much distrusted) loved him. But he managed to lay 
down a plan of action, as he lounged on the sofa, listening 
to his wife’s singing, and, as soon as they were alone, he 
opened fire. 

^^Nora,” he said, abruptly, ^^I’ve made up my mind to 
leave the Hall. How soon can you be ready ? ” 

As he had anticipated. Lady Ilfracombe required to know 
the reasons which had induced him to alter his plans. 

“Do you mean to go at once?” she questioned. “Why, 
it was only yesterday that you promised Lady Bowmant to 
stay until Mr. Portland left. Has he altered his plans also, 
or do you intend to leave without him ? ” 

“AYhat difierence can that make to you?” he said, fret- 
fully. “ I have always thought that you rather disliked 
J ack, than otherwise.” 

“My likes, or dislikes, have nothing to do with the 
matter, Ilfracombe, or we should not be here at all,” she 
answered. “ All I want to know is, why we are going so 
suddenly, and what I am to say to our hostess ? ” 

“ Say ? why, anything. Surely, you are clever enough 
to invent an excuse without my assistance. Pretend to have 
received a letter from my mother, who desires us to join 
her without delay; or, get a relation to die for the express 
purpose. Nothing can be easier to a clever girl like you.’^ 
“01 can tell as many lies as you wish, Ilfracombe; and, 
as for going, I shall only be too delighted to get away. 
Only it is not treating me fairly to keep me so completely 
in the dark. Something must have happened to make you 
so anxious to be off. Now do tell me,” she continued, as 
she seated herself upon his knee; “you know I’m as safe as 
a church. Have you a row on, with Portland or any of 
the others ? Or are Lady Bowmant’s attentions becoming 
altogether too warm ? I gave her free leave to make love 
to you, so you mustn’t judge her too hardly.” 

“ No, my dear, don’t be ridiculous; it’s nothing of that 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


257 


sort. But — well, to make a clean breast of it, Nora, the 
play is awfully hot here; enough to break the Bank of 
England, and I think it's gone on quite long enough. 
Why, I should be almost afraid to tell you how much 
money I have lost since coming here. We have an ample 
fortune; but, as you have often told me, no fortune will 
bear such a continual strain on it for long. And it’s im- 
possible to refuse playing with one’s host. So I have de- 
cided, that the sooner we are out of it, the better.” 

You are right,” said his wife, thoughtfully. “I was 
afraid of this all along. It sounds dreadfully vulgar, I 
know, but Usk Hall is, in reality, no better than a private 
hell. But what will your Jidus Achates, Mr. Portland, say 
to our going so suddenly ? ” 

Let him say what he likes,” replied the Earl, quickly. 

can’t be always answerable to him for my actions. 
We’ll go straight from here to Wiesbaden, and join my 
mother. No one can reasonably find fault with that.” 

“ No one has a right to find fault with anything you may 
do,” said Nora, though her curiosity was aroused by hearing 
her husband speak so curtly of the opinion of his closest 
friend, and I’m with you, Ilfracombe, for one. When do 
you think we ca7i start ? The day after to-morrow ? That 
will be Thursday.” 

“Couldn’t we manage it to-morrow morning?” asked 
the Earl, anxiously. “You received some letters by this 
afternoon’s post. Say you didn’t open them till bedtime, 
and then found this one from my mother, begging us to 
join her at once, as she is ill. Make Denham pack your 
trunks to-night, and send word of your intentions to Lady 
Bowmant the first thing in the morning. Can’t you man- 
age it ? ” 

“ 0 Ilfracombe, what an arch deceiver and plotter you 
would make,” cried the Countess, laughing; “but, really 
and truly, I don’t think we can be off quite as soon as that. 
I’m not sure we should get a train to London to suit us. 
Besides, unless the Dowager were dying, such extreme 
haste would look very suspicious.” 

“ Well, let her die, then. You know what I mean. Say 
the old lady is in extremis, and we can easily revive her as 
soon as we get over to Wiesbaden.” 


258 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


“ But what is the necessity for such extraordinary 
haste demanded Nora. It cannot only be because you 
have lost money over this visit. Surely, the delay of a day 
or two cannot make much difference, in comparison with 
running the risk of offending people Avho have honestly 
wished to give us pleasure. You know what my opinion has 
been all along, Ilfracombe, that Mr. Portland leads you into 
a great deal of folly, and 1 shall be but too thankful if this 
is the end of it; still, we owe something to the hospitality 
of the Bowmants, and now we are here, I cannot see what 
harm a day or two more can do us.'’^ 

The Earl saw that he was worsted in the argument, so 
he contented himself with begging his wife to make arrange- 
ments to leave TJsk as soon as she could, determining, 
inwardly, not to lose sight of her if possible till she had 
done so. The announcement, next morning, of their 
intended departure gave general dissatisfaction. The Bow- 
mants declared they had not seen half the beauties of the 
surrounding country, and that they had just made arrange- 
ments for a picnic party and a dance and a lot of other 
gaieties. Nora expressed her sorrow at the necessity of 
cutting their visit short; but the Earl said little and gave 
one the imjoression that the sudden determination had not 
originated with himself. Jack Portland, for one, took it 
so, and seized the first opportunity he could to speak to 
Nora on the subject. 

^^Well, my lady,^^ he commenced, “and so this is your 
doing, is it ? — your little plan for dragging Ilfracombe from 
the jaws of the sharks? 

“ I donT understand you,"’"’ said Lady Ilfracombe. 

“ 0 yes, you do ! This sudden idea of leaving the Hall ema- 
nated from your fertile brain alone. Ilfracombe had no idea 
of it yesterday. He told me he was enjoying himself up to 
date and should remain here as long as I did. But you got 
hold of him last night and forced the poor fellow to follow 
your lead. I see through it all as plain as a pike-staff. 

“ Then you are utterly mistaken, Mr. Portland. I had 
nothing to do with it. My husband told me yesterday that 
he wished to go, and it was with some difficulty that I per- 
suaded him not to leave this morning. But that would 
have seemed so rude to the Bowmants/^ 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


259 


But what is at the bottom of it ? 

You heard me tell Lady Bowmant that we have received 
a letter from Wiesbaden to say that 

“ 0 stop that rot, do! exclaimed Mr. Portland, elegantly; 
we can put all that in our eyes and see none the worse for 
it. It’s the real reason I want to know.” 

I have no other to give you.” 

Now, look here, Nora,” said Jack Portland, turning 
round short to confront her, “ I told you very plainly when 
we talked business over at Thistlemere, that I would not 
brook your interference between Ilfracombe and myself. 
You have not taken my caution, and must be prepared for 
the consequences. I daresay you have not forgotten them.” 

Of course not,” replied Nora, coolly, though her heart 
beat rapidly with apprehension; ^^but in this instance you 
blame me unfairly. I give you my word of honor — I swear 
before heaven, if that will please you better — that I have 
had nothing to do with this change in our plans; indeed, I 
argued against it. It was entirely my husband’s proposi- 
tion; and if you want any other reason but the one I have 
given you, you must seek it from himself.” 

Very well; we will drop that branch of the argument. 
But if you did not originate it, you must prevent it. If 
you choose to do it, it is in your power, and if you do not 
choose to do it — well!” 

He finished off with a shrug of his broad shoulders, the 
interpretation of which she knew to be take the conse- 
quences.” 

^^You mean that you will produce those letters? ’’she 
said, quickly. 

“Ido.” 

“ And if I consent to use my influence to induce Ilfra- 
combe to remain here, what is to be my reward?” 

Mr. Portland did not immediately answer, and his silence 
roused her fears. Nora had often questioned herself which 
would be the best means by which to regain possession of 
her letters. She had tried force and argument and entreaty, 
and all three had failed. This cruel wretch kept her under 
his thumb by the mere retention of that little packet. She 
was a woman of courage and determination, and, by hook 
or by crook, she meant to have it. Had she lived in a 


260 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


more barbarous time, slie would have slunk after him as be 
went to his nightly rest and stabbed him, without any com- 
punction, in the back, and been pleased to watch his death- 
struggles and to hiss into his ear, at the - last, that she was 
reyenged. But, however much we may occasionally long 
to take the law into our own hands, the nineteenth century 
holds certain obstacles against it. Nora was a woman, 
also, of finesse and intrigue. She had several times argued 
whether, in lieu of other ways, she could bring herself to 
profess a lurking affection for Jack Portland that should 
bring him once more to her feet, as in the olden days, and 
make him give for a fancied love what force had no power 
to wrest from him. This idea fiashed into her mind again 
as she waited for his reply, and felt she would sacrifice 
everything, except her honor, to bend him to her will. 

What is to be my reward ? she repeated. If I do as 
you ask, will you give me the packet 

Unwittingly, he played into her hands. 

^^What is to be my reward if I do-?^^ he asked. 

In a moment Nora had made up her mind. If the great 
stake at issue — a stake, the winning of which meant to 
secure the happiness of her whole life, was to be won by 
finesse, she would put forth all the finesse in her power to 
gain it, never mind what the consequences might be. So she 
looked at him, coquettishly, and said, like the arch-actress 
he had once called her: 

‘^What reward do you want. Jack, beside the condition 
you have already named ? 

Come, thaPs better,” said Mr. Portland. I havenT 
seen a smile like that on your ladyship^’s face for many a 
day. What I want is, a little more affectionate interest 
from you, Nora — a little more cordiality to your husband^s 
best friend — a little more familiarity with him before other 
people, that they may see he is enfant gate du maisoyi I I 
am sure you understand me; also, that you can comply 
with my wishes, if you choose. Be more like what you 
were in Malta, and I shall feel my reward is equal to my 
sacrifice.” 

“ And the sacrifice, J ack,” she continued — that is to be 
delivering up the letters you hold of mine ? ” 

Certainly, if you care to have them. Now, Nora, I will 


A BAKKEUPT HEART. 


261 


make a bargain with yon.' You shall have your letters as 
soon as ever you consent to fetch them with your own fair 
hands.'" 

To fetch them ? " she echoed, wonderingly. 

To fetch them ! Did I not speak plainly ? They are 
over at Panty-cuckoo Parm with my other things. If you 
will come to my room this evening, I will engage to deliver 
your letters to you myself." 

He had thought she would have repudiated the pro- 
posal as a fresh insult; but, to his surprise, she answered, 
firmly: 

“I will come! If these are your only conditions. Jack, 
I agree to them. It is a risque thing to do, but I will do 
it. I trust to your honor too implicitly to be afraid of 
your permitting any scandal to accrue from the act. And 
if you fulfill your promise, Ilfracombe shall stay on at Usk 
Hall as long as you do. Is the bargain sealed ? " 

It is," replied Mr. Portland, with the utmost surprise. 

He had not entertained the faintest idea that hTora would 
agree to visit him at Panty-cuckoo Farm. Was it possible 
she still retained an inkling of affection for him, and had 
her constrained manner since her marriage been a blind 
for her real feelings? Men are so conceited where the 
'beau sexe is concerned, that Jack Portland, bloated and 
disfigured as he was by excess and dissipation, was yet 
quite ready to believe that the Countess Ilfracombe had 
been unable to resist the feelings raised in her breast by 
meeting him again. He had made the proposal that she 
should fetch her letters herself, because he thought she 
would guess from that that he had no intention of giving 
them up to her; but when she consented to do so, he deter- 
mined to make her secret visit to him one more terror by 
which to force her to influence her husband as he should 
direct. How he hardly knew what he should do. She was 
coming. That was the extraordinary part of it. AYithout 
any pressing or entreaty, the Countess Ilfracombe was 
actually coming over to his room at night, to secure her 
packet of letters. Well, it was the very ‘"rummiest go " he 
had ever heard of in his life before. 

You must be very careful that you are not seen to leave 
the Hall," he said to her. 


2G2 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


Isow that she had agreed to come, he began to wish ho 
had never said anything about it. What if his dear friend 
Ilfracombe got wind of the matter ? Would not that ren- 
der his wife’s etforts, on Mr. Portland’s behalf, futile ever 
afterwards ? The Earl was very suave, and easily led, but 
Jack Portland knew him too well to suppose he would ever 
forgive an offense against his honor. If Nora’s good name 
were compromised by his nearest and dearest friend, that 
friend would have to go, if the parting broke his heart. 
Added to which, Mr. Portland had no idea of getting into 
even an imaginary scrape for Lady Ilfracombe. He did 
not like her well enough. lie regarded her only as a con- 
venient tool in his hands, which he had no intention of let- 
ting go. 

Perhaps, after all,” he said, cautiousl}^, you had better 
not risk it. It tvould be a risk, you know, and it would be 
awkward to have to give Ilfracombe an explanation of the 
affair, wouldn’t it ? ” 

I shall be careful to run no risk,” was her reply. 

But supjoose some of the farm people should see you ? 
What excuse could you make for being there ? ” 

I should make no excuse at all. I have as much right 
as other people, I suppose, to take a moonlight ramble. 
What time shall I meet you ? It must not be too late, as I 
must go up-stairs when the other ladies do.” 

That is not very early, as a rule,” said her companion. 

Let us say midnight. Ilfracombe will be safe in the card 
or billiard room at that time, and not likely to notice what 
you are about.” 

And how will you manage to leave the party without 
observation ? ” 

^^0 1 shall trust to chance; but you may be sure I shall 
be there. And — and — if you fail me, Nora, why, I shall 
understand that you value your reputation more than you 
do — me, or your husband’s good opinion, because in that 
case ” 

I linderstand. You need not recapitulate. But I shall 
not fail you. It will seem quite like old times, having an 
assignation with you. Jack. Do you remember the night 
I met you, down by the landing place at Yaletta, and that 
horrid man, Petro, followed me all the way, and only 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


263 


showed his ugly face just as I had reached your side ? I 
always believed that it was Petro who betrayed us to papa, 
for he was, sometimes, very impertinent in his manner to me 
afterwards. 0 and have you forgotten the time when you 
took me out in a boat, and we got caught in a squall, and had 
to put in to shore, and remained nearly the whole day 
away in a little estaminet ? AYhat a fearful row papa made 
about it, and I had to pretend I had been alone, though I 
don’t think he believed me. Papa certainly did hate you. 
Jack, though I never could understand why. I suppose it 
was all the money, or, rather, the lack of it.” 

And here Nora heaved a most deceitful sigh. 

“ Do you ever regret that there was any obstacle between 
us?” asked Mr. Portland, persuasively. ^^Do you think 
you could have been happy as Mrs. Jack Portland, if Il- 
fracombe had not come between us ? ” 

AVhy, of course, I told you at the time I should,” 
said Nora. 

‘‘ Ah ! well, perhaps things are better as they are,” re- 
plied her companion; ^^for I don’t think you were ever cut 
out for a poor man’s wife. You are too pretty and dainty 
and refined, my lady, for that. And if you had been misera- 
ble, I should have been so, also. And so you really like 
me well enough, still, to meet me at the farm this evening, 
and fetch your dear little letters. I shall be so glad to have 
you for a few moments to myself. It will seem quite like 
the dear old times. Here, I can never say half a dozen 
words to you, without as many old cats prying into our 
faces. Well, my dear. Be punctual, as our time 

will be limited. Twelve o’clock to-night. I had better 
not stand talking to you any longer, now.” 

I will be there,” answered the Countess, mechanically,, 
as she turned round, and walked another way. 


2G4 


CHAPTER lY. 

Hugh Owen was in a burning rage. From the high 
road he had witnessed Nelhs meeting with the Earl Ilfra- 
combe, and he put the worst construction upon what he 
saw. Because this young man was a minister, it must not 
be supposed that he was naturally amiable and good. On 
the contrary, he possessed a very high temper, and, at 
times, an ungovernable one, and it was raging now. He 
had perceived a marked difference in Nell, lately. She was 
not the same girl who had confessed her grievous fault to 
him in Panty-cuckoo Farm, nor promised so sweetly to 
follow his fortunes to South Africa in the long meadow, 
subsequently. For a little while after the latter event, she 
had been very subdued and gentle with him, as though she 
were contemplating the serious ste]) to which she had con- 
ditionally pledged herself; but since the folks had returned 
to Usk Hall, she had declined either to walk with him or 
talk with him. Her old, feverish, excitable manner had 
seemed to return, though Hugh had not liked to connect 
it with the fact of the Hall being occupied, until the fatal 
moment when he was passing by Sir Archibald's field and 
witnessed Nell and the Earl in close conversation. Who 
could she be talking with ? What could she have to say to 
him ? Why were their faces so close together ? These 
were the questions that haunted poor Hugh for hours after- 
wards, and to which he could find no satisfactory solution. 
He could not trust himself to confront Nell as she went 
back to the farm — he was afraid of what he might say to 
her, so he resolved to sleep over it, if the restless, miserable, 
disturbed slumbers which followed his discovery could be 
called sleep. But, on the next day, he felt he must know 
the reason of what he had seen. The remembrance of it 
came between him and his duties. He would not be able 
to preach and pray with an earnest and single heart until 
it had been relieved of the awful doubt that assailed it. 
So, the day after, he set forth for the farm and found Nell, 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


265 


for a wonder, alone and free to receive him. The fact is, 
she did not dare go out, as she had been used to do, lately, 
for fear of encountering Lord Ilfracombe in the company 
of his wife or friends. She felt as if she could not bear 
the sights — as if she should proclaim her right to him 
before all the world. And that, would make him angry — 
he, who loved her still above all other things, for so had 
she interpreted his words of the night before. She had 
been in a state of beatification ever since, and her mother 
knew no more what to make of her present mood than she 
had done of her previous one. It would be difficult to say 
what Nell expected or believed would come of the inter- 
view which had made her so happy. Apparently, she had 
given herself no time to think. She knew perfectly well 
that her intimacy with Ilfracombe was over and done with, 
and that, thenceforward, she could have no part nor lot in 
him or his affairs. She knew she should never enter his 
house again, nor associate with his acquaintances,‘nor enjoy 
any of his good things. Yet she felt supremely happy. 
To understand her feelings, one must not only be a woman 
— one must be a woman who has loved and lost, and found 
that, whatever the loss, the love remained as it was. W omen 
have greater faith than men, as a rule, in the unseen and 
the compensations of an after-life. They think more of 
the heart than of the body of the creature they love, and 
give them the hope of a reunion in another world — of 
retaining the eternal affections of the man they care for, 
and they will try and content themselves with the thought 
of the future. Far better that, they say, than his compan- 
ionship on earth, whilst his heart is the property of some 
other woman. The Earl had managed to deceive Nell so 
well, without intending to deceive her, that she was already 
disposed to pity Lady Ilfracombe, who could only lay claim 
to his worldly goods. As she had told him: Say you love 
me best of all the world, and the other woman can have 
your title and your money."’"’ She had sat indoors all day, 
dreaming over the unexpected happiness that had come to 
her — recalling, in fancy, every word he had uttered — every 
look he had given — every kiss he had pressed upon her 
happy mouth. The wretched interval that lay between 
them had vanished like a dream. She had forgotten the 


2GG 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


abject misery with which she had received the news of his 
marriage — the despairing attempt at suicide that followed 
it — her return home and the apathetic existence she had 
led since — all had disappeared under the magic touch of 
love. She was no longer Nell o’ Panty-cuckoo Farm, as the 
neighbors called her; she was Lord Ilfracombe’s house- 
keeper, the woman he had chosen to be the mistress of his 
home. She was his love, his lady, his daily companion. She 
looked with a kind of pathetic curiosity at the print dress 
she wore, at the simple arrangement of her chestnut hair, 
at her ringless fingers and wrists, unadorned by bangles. 
They had all gone — the silks and satins, the golden combs 
and hairpins, the jewels and laces; but he remained, the 
pride and jewel of her life — “Vernie” loved her. 

It was so wonderful; so delightful; so unexpected, that 
her head swum when she thought of it. She was just con- 
sidering whether she might not venture to stroll up the 
long field again that evening — whether ‘'‘^Vernie” might 
not come out as he had done the evening before, in hopes 
of meeting her, when Hugh Owen raised the latch of the 
farm-house door, and walked unceremoniously in. His en- 
trance annoyed Nell. It disturbed her beautiful reverie; 
put to flight all her golden dreams, and made her fear lest 
his visit might be prolonged, so as to interfere with her 
plans. The welcome he received, therefore, was not, to say 
the least of it, cordial. 

Neither father nor mother are at home, Hugh,” she 
said, as she caught sight of him, and I am just going out. 
You’ve come at an unlucky moment.” 

^^So I always seem to come, now,” he answered. But 
I have a word or two to say to you, Nell, that can’t be put 
off, so I must ask you to listen to me for a few moments, 
first.” 

They must be very few, then, for I’ve got work of my 
own to do,” she replied. 

It’s the work you do that I’ve come to speak to you 
about,” said the young man, and I claim the right to do 
so. I was sauntering up and down the road last night, 
Nell, in the hope of catching sight of you, when I saw you 
cross the meadow over there and meet a man, and talk to 
him for better than half an hour. Who was he? ” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


267 


Nell flared up in her impetuous manner, at once. 

And what business is that of yours ? she exclaimed. 

Why, every business in the world. AYhose should it be,, 
but mine ? Haven’t you promised to be my wife ? ” 

‘"^No!” cried the girl, boldly. 

No ! What, not in the long meadow, behind father’s 
house ? ” he returned, in astonishment. 

I said, if my people ever emigrated, which they never 
will do, that I would go with them as your wife; but that 
was only a conditional promise, and I've altered my mind 
since then. I shall never be anybody’s wife now.” 

^Hf I saw rightly last night, Nell, perhaps it will be as 
well. AVho was the gentleman you met and talked Avith 
for so long ? What is he to you ? AYhere have you met 
him before? AA^hat had you to say to him? ” 

AVhich of your questions will you have answered first ? ” 
asked Nell, and what is it to you, who I choose to talk 
to ? Are you my master, or am I a child to be catechised 
after this fashion? I shall see and speak to whom I like, 
and I refuse to say anything more about it.” 

“ Nell,” said Hugh, in a sorrowful voice, when you told 
me your history, I was truly sorry for you. I thought what 
a terrible thing it was that such a respectable girl should 
loAver herself to the level of the lowest of her sex. But I 
believed it was a misfortune — a step into which you had 
been led with your eyes shut — and that you regarded 
it with horror and loathing. I must have thought so, 
you know, or I should never have proposed to make you 
my wife.” 

^AYell, and what is all this tirade leading to?” said 
Nell. 

She felt sorry for Hugh, but not a bit ashamed of her- 
self, and the impossibility of explaining the matter to him 
made her irritable and pert. 

To a very sorrowful conclusion, Nell. I have seen, 
ever since this party of gentlemen and ladies came to the 
Hall, that you are altered. You have become restless and 
uneasy; you have refused to Avalk out Avith me any more, 
and you have avoided my company. I can only put two 
and two together, and draw my conclusions from that. I 
have often heard it said, that if once a woman is led astray. 


268 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


to lead what people call a ^ gay life ^ she is never contented 
with a quiet, domestic existence again; but I was loath to 
believe it of you, who seemed so truly sorry for the past, 
and all the shame and disgrace it had brought you. But 
what am I to think now ? I see you, with my own eyes, 
meet a man, who looked to me, in the gleaming, like a gen- 
tleman, and talk familiarly with him, and yet you won^t tell 
me his name, nor what your business was with him.^^ 

^^No, I won%’^ she replied, determinately; because it 
is no concern of yours.^^ 

But, I say, it is my concern and the concern of every- 
body that has an interest in you, Nell. Where there is 
deceit there must be wrong. Do your father and mother 
know this gentleman and of your meeting him ? Did you 
tell them ? 

I did not, and I shall not. It is my private affair, and 
I shall keep it entirely to myself.'’^ 

The young man rose indignantly. 

“ Then 111 tell you now what I didnT like to mention 
before, and that is, that I saw him kiss you. I am sure of 
it from the closeness with which he held you. 0 for shame, 
Nell, for shame! 

“ And what if he did ? cried Nell, with crimson cheeks. 

That, also, is my own business and not yours.'’" 

Your business, yes, and you may keep it so! "" exclaimed 
Hugh Owen, hotly, as his eyes blazed with anger. I see 
you now, Nell Llewellyn, in your true colors, and would to 
God I had known you from the first. Your penitence was 
all assumed, put on to catch an unwary fool like myself 
because there was no one better within reach. Your sorrow, 
too, for the loss of your lover was another sham, easily 
consoled by the kisses of a stranger. You are not a true 
woman, Nell; you are unfit for the love or consideration of 
any honest man. You are an outcast and a wanton, and I 
will never willingly speak to you again."" 

I will take good care you don"t,"" cried Nell, in her turn. 

I have more powerful friends than you think for — friends 
who will not see me insulted by a common farmer’s son. I 
know I promised, conditionally, to be your wife, but I did 
it for your sake, not my own. I should have hated the life 
— ^the very thought is distasteful to me. So never think 


A BA?^^KRUPT HEART. 


269 


of me in that light or any light again. I break off with 
yon from this moment. The man I met last night is 
worth ten thousand of you. I value his little finger more 
than your whole body. I would rather beg my bread with 
a gentleman than sit on a throne with a clod like you! 
Now you have the whole truth. Make what you like 
of it!^'’ 

0 stop, stop, in mercy to yourself, stop ! cried the 
young man, as, with both hands clasped to his ears, he ran 
out of the house. 

Nell felt rather subdued when left to herself. She was not 
quite sure how far she had betrayed her secret — or if she 
had said anything in her wrath to lead to Lord Ilfracomhe^s 
identity. But, on revision, she thought not. Hugh did 
not know the name of her former lover — he had not heard 
those of the guests at the Hall — there was no chance of his 
gaining a knowledge of the truth. And, as for the rest, it 
was just as well he had seen for himself that they could 
never be more to each other than they were at present. 
And then she resolved into another of the pleasing day- 
dreams, from which his entrance had disturbed her. Her 
father and mother came hustling in, after a little while, full 
of complaints and anxiety. One of their best cows had 
shown symptoms of dangerous illness, and every remedy 
that the farm could boast of was set in motion at once. 

Come, my lass,^^ cried Mrs. Llewellyn, as she entered 
the parlor, ^^you must bestir yourself and help me. Father 
and I are in sad trouble. Bonnie is as bad as she can be, 
and if we canT stop the symptoms shedl he dead before the 
morning. Aye, but misfortunes never seem to come single; 
what with the raising of the rent and other troubles. I’ve 
set Betty to put on all the hot water she can, and we must 
choose the oldest blankets we have for fomentations. Bring 
the lamp with you, Nell; I want to find the proper medi- 
cines in father’s chest.” 

The girl snatched up the light and followed her mother 
to where Mr. Llewellyn kept a chest full of veterinary drugs. 

“ That ain’t it, and that ain’t it,” the old woman kept on 
saying, as she pulled bottle after bottle to the light — “ah! 
I think this is the stulf that cured Daisy last year.” 

She pulled out the cork with her teeth and tasted a little 


270 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


of the brown, nauseous-looking mixture, but spat it out 
immediately on the floor. 

‘^Godsaveus! that’s the lotion for the sheeps’ backs — 
deadly poison. Don’t you ever touch that, my girl. It'll 
take the skin off your tongue in no time.” 

‘^Am I likely?” remonstrated Nell, seriously; ^^but sup- 
pose you had given it to the poor cow by mistake ? Why 
don’t you label it plainly, ^ Poison,’ mother, and then there 
would be no fear of an accident.” 

‘^Aye, my lass, that’s a good thought. Don’t put it 
hack, Nell, but carry it to your bedroom, and put it atop 
of the wardrobe. It will be safe enough there, and when 
we’re a bit less busy, you shall write a label for it. It’s 
arsenic, I believe. I know, last year, father give a drop or 
two to one of the cats that was bad in its inside, and the 
poor beast was dead in a few minutes. This is the cow’s 
mixture,” said Mrs. Llewellyn, pulling out a second bottle 
from the recesses of the old trunk; not dissimilar looking, 
are they ? but lor ! what a difference in their effects. This 
is some of the finest stuff we ever had; made from a recipe 
of Farmer Owen’s. Take it down to father at once, Nell, 
for he’s in a hurry for it, and I’ll fetch the blanket. And 
d.on’t forget to put the other atop of your wardrobe,” she 
■called out after her daughter. The poor cow was very bad, 
and for some hours the whole household was occupied in 
providing remedies, and applying them. When ten o’clock 
struck, and the animal was pronounced to be out of danger, 
Nell was regularly tired out, and hardly inclined to sit 
down to supper with her parents. But the farmer would 
not hear of her leaving them. 

Come on, lass,” he said, I’ve news for you, only this 
bothering cow put it clean out of my head. Grand news, 
Nellie. You’ll never guess it, not if you tried for a twelve- 
month.” 

Nell returned to the table, white and scared-looking. 

‘^News about father?” she said. 

W ell, not about you, exactly, but that concerns you all the 
same. Now, who do you suppose has come to the Hall and 
is staying along of Sir Archibald ? ” 

Then she knew he had heard of Lord Ilfracombe’s 
arrival, and set her teeth, lest she should betray herself. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


271 


“ How should I know, father? ” she said, tremblingly. I 
haven’t been near Mrs. Hody for the last week. Is it the 
Prince whom they expected ? ” 

The Prince be d d ! ” exclaimed the farmer. What’s 

the value of a foreign prince beside one of our own English 
noblemen? I wouldn’t give you that for the Prince!” 
snapping his fingers. No; it’s somebody much better and 
higher. It’s your old master, the Earl Ilfracombe, and his 
lady. What do you think of that ? ” 

^^The Earl Ilfracombe! ” echoed Nell, in order to gain 
time; “but who told you, father?” 

“Jackson, the coachman, to be sure, who drove them both 
home from the railway station; and who should know better 
than he ? He says the Earl is a fine-looking young man, as 
fair as daylight, and his lady is a nice, pretty creature, too. 
I thought I should surprise you, Nell. You’ll be want- 
ing to go up to the Hall to see ’em both now, won’t you ? ” 
“ 0 father, why should I go to see them ? His lordship 
won’t want to see me. Most likely he’s forgotten my very 
name.” 

“Well, Nell, I am surprised to hear you talk so!” 
exclaimed her mother. “ It don’t look as if you knew much 
about the gentry, who are always glad to see servants as 
have behaved themselves whilst in their service. But per- 
haps you’re afraid the Earl is annoyed with you for leaving 
him so suddenly and just as he was bringing home his 
bride. Is that it ? ” 

' “ Perhaps so, mother,” said the girl, looking very much 
confused. 

“Ah, I was always doubtful if there wasn't something 
queer about your coming back so suddenly, and so I’ve told 
your mother,” remarked Mr. Llewellyn, dubiously; “but, 
if it was so, why, you must go over to the Hall to-morrow 
morning and ask his lordship’s pardon, and perhaps mother 
here can find some little thing as you could take up as an 
offering for his lady, can you, mother ? ” 

“ 0 I daresay,” replied Mrs. Llewellyn; “ she might fancy 
a pen of our Minorca fowls or Cochins. I suppose they’ve 
a fine farm down at Thistlemere, Nell?” 

“Yes, I suppose so; but, mother, I cannot go and see 
them or take Lady Ilfracombe any presents. It will seem 


272 


A BAN^KRUPT HEART. 


like intrusion. TheyVe not asked to see me, and Fm only 
a discharged servant, after all.^^ 

‘^Rubbish! Nonsense! What are you talking about ? 
exclaimed the old farmer, angrily. A discharged servant! 
Why, didn^t you tell mother and me that you gave his lord- 
ship warning yourself ? Haven’t you told the truth about 
your leaving? Is there anything hid under it all, as we 
know nothing about ? Come, now, no more secrets, if yon 
please; let us have the plain truth at once, or I will go up 
the first thing in the morning and see his lordship 
myself.” 

^Hjor! father, don’t be so hard on the lass,” exclaimed 
his wife; you’ve turned her as white as a lily with your 
noise. What should be under it except that the maid 
wanted to come home, and time enough, too, after being 
three years away. Don’t you mind him, Nell, my girl. 
He’s just put out and cranky about the cow. If you don’t 
want to see his lordship, why, no more you shall. Here, 
sup up your beer and get to bed. I don’t half like the way 
in which you flushes on and ofi. It’s just how my sister’s 
girl went off in a waste. You sha’n’t be worried to do any- 
thing as you don’t wish to, take my word for it.” 

That’s how you fools of women go on together, without 
a thought of the business and how it’s going to the devil! 
grumbled her husband. Here’s Lord Ilfracombe, come 
here, as you may say, in the very nick of time, and Nell 
the very one to ask a favor of him, and you cram her head 
with a pack o’ nonsense about not going near him. Sir 
Archibald is going to raise the rent and send us all to the 
workhouse, when a word from his lordship might turn his 
mind the other way, especially if Nell put to him, on 
account of her long service and good character, and you 
tell her not to do it. Bah! I’ve no patience with you.” 

0 that’s a different thing! ” quoth the old woman. If 
Nell can get Lord Ilfracombe to plead with Sir Archibald 
on our account, why, of course, she’ll do it, for her own sake 
as well as ours, won’t you, my lass? ” 

Plead with Lord Ilfracombe ? ” cried Nell, hysterically. 
^^No, no! indeed, I cannot. What has he to do with Sir 
Archibald’s rents ? He is only a guest in the house. It 
would be too much to ask. It would place him in an un- 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


273 


pleasant position. I would not presume to do such a 
thing.^^ 

Both her parents rounded on her at once. 

“ Well, of all the ungrateful hussies as I ever saw,^’ said 
her father, you’re the worst ! You come home to see your 
poor parents toiling and moiling to keep a roof above their 
heads, and nigh breaking their hearts over the raising of 
the rent and the idea of having to leave the old homestead, 
and you refuse even to speak a word to save them from 
starvation ! ” 

Well, I never did!” cried her mother. “Here you’ve 
been home for nearly a year and no more use than a baby, 
what with your London training, and your illness and your 
fid-fads, and the first thing your poor father asks you to do 
for him, you downright refuse. I didn’t think it of you, 
Nell, and. I begin to fear, like father, that there must be 
something under it all as you’re afraid to let us know.” 

“ But I shall know it for all that,” said the farmer, “ for 
I’ll see this fine lord with the break of day and ask him 
downright under what circumstances you left his service. 
If he’s a gentleman, he’ll answer the question, and give me 
some satisfaction. I won’t put up with this sort of treat- 
ment from you no longer, my lass, and so I give you plain 
notice.” 

“ Very well. Do as you like. It’s all the same to me,” 
cried Nell, as she rose from the table and rushed from the 
room. 

Her sleeping apartment was over the lodgers’ rooms, and 
as she reached it, she locked the door and flung herself on 
the bed, face downwards, in an agony of apprehension. 
What was going to happen next? she asked herself — what 
was to be the next scene in her life’s tragedy? Would her 
irate father force the truth from the Earl or would he 
guess it from his embarrassment? Would the story come 
to the ears of the Countess and make mischief between her 
husband and herself ? There seemed to be no end to the 
horrors that might happen from her father having gained 
knowledge of the proximity of her former employer. And 
if he confided his doubts to Hugh Owen, or any of the 
Dale Farm party, might not he add his quota to the chapter 
of horrors by relating what he had witnessed in the field the 


274 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


night before? Poor Nell could get no rest that night for 
thinking of these things, and wondering how she should 
come out of them all. She rose, after awhile, and bathed 
her burning and swollen eyelids in cold water, and took a 
seat by the open casement and gazed out into the calm, 
peaceful night. The air was warm and balmy, but there were 
few stars, and the moon was in her first quarter. How 
long she had sat there, she did not know, till she heard the 
church clock chiming the hour of twelve, and thought to 
herself that it was time she lay down on her bed. But, just as 
she was about to do so, her attention was arrested by the 
figure of a woman walking slowly and furtively over the 
grass beneath the window. Nell did not know who she 
was, nor what she came for; but, not unnaturally supposing 
that she would not be there at that time of night unless 
she needed the assistance of her mother or herself, in some 
sudden emergency, she. waited quietly until the stranger 
should knock or call out in order to summon her. To her 
surprise, however, the woman did not go round to the 
principal entrance to the farm-house, but lingered about 
the grass plat, walking backwards and forwards, and occa- 
sionally glancing over her shoulder in the direction of the 
Hall. NelPs curiosity was now fully aroused, but she made 
no sign to arrest the attention of the visitor. On the con- 
trary, she drew further back from the window, so as to be 
entirely concealed by the dimity curtain that shaded it. 
Prom this vantage ground she, presently, saw the woman 
joined by a man, whom she at once recognized as Mr. Port- 
land. Nell’s first feeling was indignation that he should 
presume to make her mother’s house a place of assignation; 
but when he commenced to talk, she could only listen, spell- 
bound. 


275 


CHAPTER V. 

" And so you have kept your word, my lady ? ” he said, 
nonchalantly. 

Had you any doubt that I should do so ? she 
answered. 

It would not have been the first time if you had broken 
it,” was the sarcastic rejoinder. 

^^How, look here. Jack,” said the woman, ^^you have not 
brought me here at this time of night to upbraid me for 
the inevitable past, surely. You must know that I run a 
fearful risk in coming here. You must know, also, that 
only one object on earth would have brought me. Be 
merciful as you are great, and don’t keep me fooling my 
time away in order to listen to your platitudes. Isn’t the 
subject of our former relations with each other rather 
stale ? ” 

It will never be stale to me, Nora,” replied Mr. Port- 
land; “and the melancholy fact that you preferred Ilfra- 
combe to myself is not likely to make me forget it.” 

‘‘Ilfracombe ! ” thought Nell, from her post of observa- 
tion. “ Can this really be the Countess ? 0 how grossly 

she must be deceiving him! Prefer Ilfracombe to him! 
Why, of course, it must be she. I will hear every word they 
say, now, if I die for it.” 

“That is nonsense,” resumed Nora; “you never really 
cared for me. Jack, and if you did, the sentiment has died 
long ago. Don’t let us twaddle, pray, but come to 
business.” 

“ I thought the twaddle, as you call it, was part of our 
business; Wt I am willing to let it drop. What has your 
ladyship to say next ? ” 

“ I want to ask you something, which I have been afraid 
to mention, with so many eavesdroppers as we have round 
us at the Hall. You knew that chere amie of Ilfracombe’s 
— Miss Llewellyn — of course ? ” 

“ I did. Every one who knew him knew her. What of 


276 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


it ? Are you getting up a little jealousy of the dead for 
future use ? 

Don^t talk nonsense. Am I the sort of woman to go 
raving mad on account of my husband^’s former peccadil- 
loes ? But what became of her ? 

At this juncture, Nell became keenly attentive. She 
thrust her head as far as she dared out of the window, and 
did not lose a single word. 

“By Jove! no,” laughed Portland. “I cannot imagine 
your ladyship being jealous of anything or any one who had 
not the power to take your beloved coronet from you. But, 
surely, you know what become of the poor girl. She is 
dead. She drowned herself when Ilfracombe sent home 
word that he was about to marry you, and told old Stern- 
dale to give her ^ the genteel kick-out.^ ” 

“Poor child!” said the Countess, compassionately; “it 
was very terrible, if true. But what proofs were there of 
her doing so ? Was the body ever found ? ” 

“ I believe not. But don^t talk of it, please. I had a 
sincere regard for Miss Llewellyn, and the thought of her 
dreadful end makes me sad.” 

“ You feeling for any one of your fellow-creatures. Jack ? ” 
replied Nora, incredulously. “You must have been very 
hard hit. But I really want to know if there was any 
doubt of her death ? I have a particular reason for 
asking.” 

“ I heard there was no doubt. That is all I can tell you. 
Lady Ilfracombe.” 

“ What was she like. Jack?” urged Nora. 

“Very handsome, indeed; more than handsome, beauti- 
ful, with the most glorious golden chestnut hair imaginable, 
and large hazel eyes, with dark brows and lashes, and a 
straight nose and good mouth and chin. A lovely figure, 
too, tall and graceful, though with large hands and feet. 
A remarkable-looking young woman, Nora; and it is a 
feather in your cap to have driven her memory so com- 
pletely from Ilfracombe^s heart.” 

“ But I am not sure that I have driven it. Ilfracombe 
is very touchy on the subject now, and cannot bear her 
name to be mentioned. But I tell you what. Jack. She is 
no more dead than I am, for I have seen her.” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


277 


My God! Where? exclaimed Mr. Portland, excitedly. 

«yyhy, in this very house. Don’t you remember Sir 
Archibald telling us that the young woman who stopped 
Lady Bowmant's cobs must have been one of the Llew- 
ellyns ? I came over here the same afternoon to see her 
and thank her more particularly than I had been able to 
do; and if the girl I saw is not Nell Llewellyn, I’ll eat my 
hat. She answers to your description exactly.” 

“You don’t mean to say so! It never entered into my 
calculations. I have made so sure that she was gone. Have 
you mentioned your suspicions to Ilfracombe ? ” 

“No fear. I’m not such a fool as I look. Why should 
I raise up all the old feelings in him, just as he is settling 
down so nicely with me ? But I should like to know if it is 
true, and to know for certain. It is a dreadful thing to 
have a girl’s death at one’s door. So I thought I would tell 
you and you could find out for me.” 

“ I will make a point of doing so, but I’m afraid you are 
laboring under a mistake. There was so little doubt of Miss 
Llewellyn’s death. The young woman you have seen may 
be a sister or other relation. It is worth while inquiring.” 

“ But don’t compromise Ilfracombe in doing so. He par- 
ticularly begged me not to mention his name when I called 
here, in case they might be of the same family. But I 
mustn’t stay longer. Jack, so please let me have the 
letters.” 

“ All right. But you must come and fetch them.” 

“Well, I am here, safe enough.” 

“ Perhaps, but the letters are not here. They are in my 
dispatch-box, in my room.” 

“ Go and bring them, then.” 

“ The bargain was that you were to fetch them, Nora.” 

“ But not to enter your room. Jack. I cannot do that. 
It is impossible. I refuse.” 

“ Then you can’t fetch the letters, my lady.” 

“And have you brought me here to play me such an 
unfair trick as that? You knew that I could not enter 
your room. It would be risking the happiness of my 
whole future life. Supposing Mr. Lennox were to return 
suddenly and find me closeted there with you ? You want 
to ruin me. I shall do no such thing.” 


278 


A BANKKUPT HEAET. 


^^You know now that you are only quibbling, Nora— 
only fighting with the inevitable. You will not rest till 
you have those letters in your own hands. You have told 
me you would give half your fortune to get them, and yet 
you refuse to pass the threshold of my room. What non- 
sense! You must devise some other means by which to 
procure them, then, for I will not go back from my word. 
I said you should have them if you would fetch them, and 
now that they are within your reach, you refuse to stretch 
out your hand and take them. Very well; it is not my 
fault. You must return without them.'’^ 

Nora thought a minute, and then said: “What time 
is it ? 

“ Half -past twelve,^^ replied her companion. “They 
will not break up over there for another hour and a half.^^ 
She knew she was as much within this man^s power as if 
he held the proofs of some great crime which she had com- 
mitted. She did not exactly remember what her foolish 
letters to him contained, but she was sure there was suffi- 
cient love-sick folly in them which, aided by his innuendoes 
and, even, falsehoods, might bring everlasting disgrace upon 
her, to say nothing of Ilfracombe^s serious displeasure, 
which she dreaded still more. To lose her husband’s trust 
and confidence and respect — perhaps his love — was too ter- 
rible a contingency in the young Countess’ -eyes. She had 
been guilty of. a fearful social error in going to the farm 
at all — she knew that; but, now she was there, would it 
not be better to comply with Jack Portland’s conditions, 
hard as they might be, than to return to the Hall, having 
played her escapade for nothing. 

“Where are the letters?” was the next question she 
asked him. 

“ I have told you. In my dispatch box.” 

“ But where is the box ? ” 

“ On a table, just within the door.” 

“Will you go in first and get them out, and then I will 
cross the threshold and take them from you ? ” 

“ Are you so terribly afraid of me as all that, Nora ? ” 
“Not afraid of you or any man,” she answered, haughtily, 
“ but afraid of compromising my good name. It is toe 
fearful a risk. Anything might happen. Mr. Lennox 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


279 


might return or the people of the house come down, or — 
or — 0 Jack! if you ever loved me the least little bit, 

don’t ask me to do more than I have done.” 

He appeared to be satisfied with her excuse, for Nell saw 
him leave her side and disappear within the house. In 
another minute, the Countess, who had stood looking anx- 
iously after him, seemed to have received his signal, for she 
cautiously followed him. Then there was a silence of sev- 
eral minutes, during which Nell listened eagerly to hear 
what passed, but no sound reached her ear. The next thing 
she saw was the figure of Lady Ilfracombe, who left the 
house hurriedly, and, throwing herself down on the grass, 
burst into tears. It was a rare occurrence for Nora to lose 
command of herself, but to-night she felt utterly worsted 
and broken down. She had built so many fair hopes on this 
venture, and now she found herself as far from obtaining 
her wishes as ever. 

“You are a hrute ! exclaimed, as Jack Portland 
joined her — “ a false and merciless brute! You have lured 
me here under false pretences, and in order to get me only 
more surely in your toils. You knew you were deceiving 
me — you knew the letters were not there — you persuaded 
me to enter your room against all my better judgment, in 
order that I might compromise myself, and be more your 
slave than before. But there must be an end put to it 
some day. I will not go on being laughed at by you for- 
ever. I defy you to do your worst. Show Ilfracombe those 
letters, as you have so often threatened, and I will take 
good care the day you do so is the last you ever spend under 
any roof of mine.” 

“ Softly, softly, my lady,” said Portland. “ Aren’t you 
going it a little too fast and making a little too much noise 
over this business ? I give you my word of honor that I 
fully believed that interesting packet of letters was in my 
dispatch box.” 

“ Your word of honor I repeated Nora, disdainfully, as 
she rose from her despairing attitude, and stood up, 
wiping her wet eyes. “ How long have you possessed the 
article ? ” 

“Now, Nora, none of your sneers, if you please,” said 
Jack Portland. “ Don’t be foolish and make a regular 


280 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


quarrel of this matter. Let me tell you this: that so long 
as you insult me on every occasion, I shall never give you 
hack those letters. After all, they are legally mine, and 
you have no right to demand their restoration. If I return 
them, it will be as a favor, and people do not, as a rule, 
grant favors to ladies who call them liars and scoundrels and 
cheats for their pains. And now, had you not better go 
back to the Hall ? I have shown you what I can do by 
bringing you here, and I don^t mean to do anything more 
for you to-night. When you have learned how to coax and 
wheedle a little, instead of bully and storm, perhaps you may 
persuade me to give you back those much longed-for letters.^'’ 

The Countess seemed to be perfectly subdued. To those 
who knew her as she generally was, and especially to the 
man before her, the change in her voice and demeanor 
would have seemed a marvel. 

^^Yes, I will go,’^ she replied, in a meek tone; ^^but I 
should like to have a few words with you first. Jack. I 
cannot think what has changed you so, but you are not the 
same man you were at Malta. Still, I do not think you can 
have quite forgotten that time, when we first met and 
thought we loved each other. It was my father. Sir Eichard 
Abinger, who separated us, as you know well, and even if 
he had not done so, I do not think you would have wished 
to marry me, for you had no income, and I should only have 
been a great burden to you. So is it quite fair, do you 
think, to visit the fact of our parting on my head, espe- 
cially now that I am married to another man ? Those 
letters of mine — written to you when I considered we were 
engaged lovers — I daresay they are very silly and spooney 
and full of the nonsense people generally write under such 
circumstances, but I cannot think there is anything com- 
promising in them, as you would lead me to believe. I 
feel sure, if I were to show them to my husband, he would 
forgive and absolve me from all thought of wrong. But 
will you not spare me such an act of self-humiliation ? Can- 
not you be man enough to forgive a girl who has never done 
you any harm, for having caused you a little mortification ? 
AV ill you not do so — for the sake of Malta and the time 
when you thought you loved me ? 

Nora’s voice was so sorrowful and yet so full of dignity 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


281 


as she pronounced these words, that Nell’s heart burned 
within her to listen to them, and she longed to have the 
power to steal those letters and restore them to her, spite 
of all Mr. Jack Portland’s machinations. And as she sat 
there, she clinched her hands together, and said to herself 
that, if it were to be done, she would do it. She had not 
been unmindful of Nora’s kindness when she visited her 
under the guise of Mrs. Lumley, though she had so ill 
requited it; and now that she knew who she was, and that 
it was Ilfracombe’s unloved wife who had had her ring and 
money flung back in her face, Nell’s generous nature 
asserted itself, and she inwardly avowed that, if she could 
do her a good turn, she would. 

Why are you so very anxious to get these letters back, 
especially if there’s nothing in them ? ” asked Mr. Portland. 

It’s not because you’re so deuced fond of Ilfracombe, that 
you trouble for his peace of mind, surely. You’ve got your 
coronet out of him, and what on earth do you want more ? 
You are not going to stuff me up with any humbug about 
your having fallen in love with him — because I sha’n’t be- 
lieve it if you do. You married him for a settlement — you 
never left him alone till you had hooked him — and now 
you’ve got the poor gull fast, what harm can that little 
packet of letters do him, or you, even if I should take it 
into my head some day to bring you to order by showing 
them to him, eh ? ” 

Even in the dim light of the starless sky, Nell could see 
the Countess twisting her lace handkerchief nervously 
about in her hands, as she answered her tormentor: 

Yes, you are right. I married Ilfracombe because I 
thought it a flne thing to become a countess, and to be pre- 
sented at Court, and h^ave a large fortune, and everything 
that I could require. But — I don’t feel like that now. I 
— I — love him.” 

“ Yoif, love him! ” echoed Portland, with a coarse laugh. 

That’s the best joke I ever heard in my life. Do you sup- 
pose he cares for you ? Why, he only married you, because 
his people were always after him to get rid of poor Miss 
Llewellyn, and settle down respectably.” 

0 no, no, don’t say that ! ” cried the Countess, in a tone 
of unmistakable anguish. 


282 


A BAN’KRUPT HEART. 


“ Blit 1 do say it, and I could bring forward dozens of fel- 
lows to corroborate my statement. Ilfracombe adored Nell 
Llewellyn — so did she, him. Do you suppose she would 
have committed suicide, else? Would you risk your precious 
life, or still more precious coronet, for any man on earth ? 

^‘Yes, I could — for Ilfracombe,” she answered, trem- 
blingly. 

“ I can put all that in my eye, and see none the worse,” 
continued Portland. But, at any rate, your devotion is 
thrown away. His lordship cares more for Miss Llewellyn^s 
memory than he does for your living self. You may repre- 
sent his station in life to him — perhaps, his prospective 
family — but she was his love.” 

You are very cruel to me,” faltered Nora, ^Hhough, 
perhaps, I have deserved your contempt and irony. But 
no one could live with Ilfracombe, and not love him. He 
is so generous — so considerate — so unselfish, that a woman 
would be insensible to every good influence, not to feel 
grateful to him, in return. And, as for poor Miss Llew- 
ellyn, you are mistaken if you imagine you have been the 
first to tell me of his esteem for her, and sorrow for her 
untimely loss. He has told me all about it himself, and I 
have sympathized deeply with him. My husband has no 
secrets from me, as I earnestly desire not to have any from 
him. Were it not for these unfortunate letters, I should 
have none. But you have tortured me too far. Jack. I 
throw up the sponge. I shall tell Ilfracombe, on the first 
opportunity, of the boasted hold you have over me, and beg 
him to end it one way or the other. Let him read the let- 
ters, and do his worst. It can never be so bad as yours. 
You have made my married life a torment to me by your 
unmanly threats.” 

She turned away from him as she concluded, and com- 
menced to toil up the steep acclivity that led to the gate. 
But Jack Portland sprung after her. 

I am not going to let you go alone,” he said. Come, 
Nora, let us part better friends than this. Forgive me 
for being a little amused at the idea of you and old Ilfra- 
combe having a quiet ^ spoon ^ together, and trust me that 
he shall never trace any annoyance that may accrue from 
your former little follies, to my door.” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


283 


The Countess did not appear to make any answer to this 
harangue, and Nell watched them ascend the hill together, 
and pass out of the white gate. 

And how long is Jack Portland to be trusted she 
thought, as they disappeared. “Just so long as it suits 
him, and then he will hold his unmanly threats over that 
poor woman’s head again. Well, I’ve no particular reason 
to love her, heaven knows; but I can do her this kindness 
in return for hers, and I will, if only to keep Ms name un- 
stained by the tongue of such a scoundrel as Jack Portland. 
They have gone to the Hall, and he will probably not be 
back for another hour. Now’s the time. If I wait till 
daylight, mother will be about, and liable to break in upon 
me at any moment. I will slip down at once.” 

She lighted a taper, and, shading it with her hand, crept 
softly down the stairs that led to the bricked passage, and 
so into the lodgers’ rooms. That occupied by Mr. Port- 
land lay to the left. The door was ajar. Nell had only to 
push it gently open in order to enter. She set her light 
down on a table, and glanced around her. All was in per- 
fect order, except the much talked-of dispatch box, which 
had been left open, with its contents tumbled over. Nell 
did not believe that the packet of letters was not there. It 
was very unlikely that Jack Portland would not know what 
was in his box or what was not. He had intended to hand 
it to the Countess, but changed his mind at the last mo- 
ment. She looked carefully through the contents of the 
box, but found no packet. She had replaced the papers 
carefully, and was about to search the remainder of the 
apartment, when, to her horror, she heard a footstep enter 
the narrow passage that divided the two rooms, and ap- 
proach the one which she occupied. It was useless to ex- 
tinguish her light. The new-comer had already perceived 
her. 

“ Halloa ! ” he exclaimed, “ and what pretty burglar have 
I here?” 

She turned to confront him, and his tone changed to one 
of terror. 

“ My God ! Nell! ” he cried, “ are you dead, or living ? ” 

She stood face to face — with Jack Portland. 


284 


CHAPTER YL 

Are you living ? he repeated, or — or — dead ? ” 

In the excitement of his subsequent conversation with 
Lady Ilfracombe, he had forgotten the suspicions she had 
communicated to him, with regard to this woman, and 
now stood before her, dazed and trembling. Men who 
are given to drinking are always terribly afraid of the 
supernatural. 

Don’t alarm yourself,” replied Nell, scornfully, I am 
alive.” 

‘‘Alive! Then Lady Ilfracombe was correct when she 
assured me she had met you. Though she had never seen 
you before, your description tallied so exactly with the 
girl she saw here, that she felt certain you must be the 
same person.” 

“ She was right,” said Nell, quietly. 

^^And how did it all happen?” asked Jack Portland, 
eagerly. You will forgive my curiosity, when you remem- 
ber that your death was not only currently reported, but, 
as it was supposed, proved beyond a doubt. We, that is, 
Ilfracombe and all your friends, felt your loss very much. 
It was terrible for us to think you had come to so sad an 
end. You will believe so much, will you not? ” 

“ 0 yes.” 

But you are standing. Miss Llewellyn; pray sit down. 
Y^ou will not be afraid to bestow a few moments on me in 
order to satisfy my great curiosity. Tell me first, how is it 
we find you here ? ” 

That is easily accounted for, Mr. Portland. Usk is my 
native place. I was born at Panty-cuckoo Farm. Mr. and 
Mrs. Llewellyn are my father and mother. So it was only 
natural, when I lost the home I thought was mine, that I 
should return to them.” 

But how was it that the rumor of your death was so 
widely circulated ? ” 

0 don’t talk of that,” she said, wearily. “ I did throw 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


285 


myself into the water. I thought it would be better for all 
concerned, myself especially; but some well-meaning people 
pulled me out again; and when I found that the world 
believed me to he gone, I thought it just as well not to un- 
deceive it. That is all. Of course I had no idea you would 
ever come here or meet me again. As it is, all I wish is, 
that you should leave TJsk without betraying my secret to 
my parents.'’^ 

'^You may depend on me. Miss Llewellyn,^^ said Port- 
land. ^^But does Ilfracombe know of your proximity 
A gleam of pleasure lighted up her pale features. 

‘^Yes, I met him yesterday, quite by accident, and he 
was as surprised to see me as you are. But he was glad — 
very glad.""" 

Hullo ! thought Jack to himself. Then this accounts 
for his sudden determination to go.^^) But aloud he said: 

Of course he would be, as we all are. And now, may 
I ask what you were doing in my room. Miss Llewellyn ? 

Yes,^^ she answered, boldly; I came down here, in your 
absence, to see if I could find the packet of letters which 
you refused to give to Lady Ilfracombe.^^ 

The packet of letters ! he exclaimed, completely 
startled out of his usual prudence. “ How can you know 
anything about her letters ? Who can have told you ? 

No one has told me. My bedroom window is up there, 
and I overheard you talking to her to-night. I did not miss 
a single word of your conversation.^^ 

‘^By George! cried Portland. Well, then, there would 
be no use in my disguising the matter. She has been a 
horrid little flirt, but there’s no harm about her now. Un- 
derstand that plainly.” 

Then why did you tempt her to meet you here to- 
night ? You must know what a rupture it would make 
between her and the Earl if it became known.” 

I shall take good care it does not get known. But I 
want to pay her out for her past conduct to me. She is the 
sort of lady that it is as well to keep the whip hand over.” 

AYhen you want to make money out ©f her husband. 
Yes; I understand perfectly. So you have not let poor Il- 
fracombe out of your clutches yet, Mr. Portland. How 
much longer is he to be fleeced?” 


286 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


You speak boldly, Miss Llewellyn; but, if I remember 
rightly, you always used to do so.'’^ 

In Ms cause, yes.'’^ 

And so you meant to steal my property, eh ? and restore 
it to her ladyship ? 

If it were possible. But I begin to be afraid you spoke 
the truth when you said the letters were not here. They 
are not in the dispatch box, at all events. 0 Mr. Portland, 
if you have them, do give them to me.” 

“ In order that your heartless little rival — the woman 
who has supplanted you with Ilfracombe, may go scot-free ? 
What do you suppose she will do for you in return — what 
she has already done ? Persuaded her husband to leave 
Usk at once. They go to-morrow.” 

Nell drew a long breath. 

To-morrow? 0 that is soon. Nevertheless, let her 
have back her letters, Mr. Portland, if only in return 
for all the kindness he has shown you. You could never 
use them against her. It would be impossible; and, with- 
holding them, might urge her on to confide the matter to 
her husband, which would mean a break-up of your long 
intimacy with him.” 

“By Jove! you’re an eloquent pleader, Nell,” exclaimed 
her companion, looking at her, admiringly; “and there’s 
more good in your little finger than in her ladyship’s whole 
body. You’re doing this for Ilfracombe’s sake, I can spot 
that fast enough; but if you believe all her protestations 
about loving him, you are easily gulled. She cares for no 
one but herself; she never did; but she’s in a mortal fright 
lest I should peach, and make ructions between them, 
which there would be, I can assure you, when I tell you that 
if it were in my power, I would not marry the woman who 
wrote such letters as I have in my possession. By George! 
you should see them. They would make your eyes open. 
You would not have written such epistles to save vour 
life.” 

“ Perhaps not,” she answered, quietly. “ Letter writing 
was never much in my line. But if what you say is true, 
it is all the more necessary that they should be destroyed. 
Give them to me, Mr. Portland, I implore you, for the old 
times’ sake.” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


287 


Do you know what you are asking, Miss Llewellyn ? To 
be allowed to do the best turn in your power (or the power 
of any one) to the woman who inveigled Ilfracombe from 
you — to make a heartless, reckless girl, who is only afraid 
of imperiling her position in society, at her ease for ever- 
more — to set her free to bamboozle some other man, as she 
bamboozled me.'’^ 

“ 0 no, no, I do not believe that. She loves her hus- 
band. You might hear it in the very tone of her voice."” 

The very tone of her voice!” echoed Jack Portland, 
sneeringly. ^^What a judge of character you must be. 
Why, Nora Ilfracombe is a thorough actress, and can 
change her voice at will. How Ilfracombe can ever have 
been so infatuated as to make her his countess, beats me. 
And to see him lolling on the sofa by her side, and devour- 
ing her with his eyes, is sickening. He^s over head and 
ears in love with her, and she wants to keep him at her 
feet. That^s the long and the short of it.” 

‘‘But you told her just now that it was I whom he 
loved!” cried Nell, quickly. 

“Did I? That was only to make her ladyship waxy. 
Ilfracombe has forgotten all about you, long ago.” 

“ I — I — think you are mistaken,” replied Nell, in a con- 
strained tone. “ But you cannot blame the Countess for 
wishing to keep him as much with her as possible. And — 
and — since it is all over for you and me, Mr. Portland — 
since you have lost her, and I have lost him — would it not 
be better and nobler to leave them alone for the future, 
and put no obstacle in the way of their happiness ? ” 

“And what would you do with the packet of letters if I 
did deliver them over to you ? ” 

“ I would take them to her at once, and give them her 
on the promise that she would never be so foolish as to 
meet you secretly again.” 

“And you think she would thank you — that she would 
be grateful?” 

“ He would, if he knew it,” she replied. 

“Ah! it’s all for him still, though he cast you off, like a 
worn-out glove. You women are inexplicable creatures. 
It seems to me that the worse you are treated, the closer 
you stick.” 


288 


A BANKEUPT HEART. 


“ Never mind that. Will you give me the letters? 

I will, on one condition.^^ 

What is it ? '' 

Nell, do you remember what I said to you once in Gros- 
venor Square, and you were so angry with me for saying ? 
I knew then that Ilfracombe was contemplating marriage, 
and that you would be left without a home, and I loved 
you. Yes, you may stare as much as you like, but it is the 
truth. Such love as it is in my nature to feel, I have felt, 
and do feel for you. I admire you — not only personally, 
but your courage; your pride; your determination. I ad- 
mire the ease with which you accepted your equivocal po- 
sition under Ilfracombe’s roof — the humility with which 
you deferred to his will, even when it came to leaving you 
alone in London for four months, whilst he gallivanted 
after Miss Nora Abinger.” 

“0 spare me, Mr. Portland, spare me!” cried Nell. 
“ Let the past alone; it is too painful a recollection to me. 
I know I was furious with you. I had a right to be, but 
my high spirits are all gone. If it were not so, I should not 
stay to listen now.” 

But I am not going to say one word that the most vir- 
tuous matron in England might not hear. I repeat that 
you are the only woman for whom I have ever experienced 
any genuine feeling, and if you really want to save your 
late friend from a very painful humiliation (which will in- 
evitably come some day by the exhibition of these letters), 
I will give them to you to do with as you will — if you will 
marry me.” 

What f ” she exclaimed, starting backward. 

I mean what I say. I know that my former proposal 
was a different one, but I have altered my mind since then. 
I offer to marry you — to give you my name, which is, at all 
events, that of a gentleman, though. I’m afraid, a rather 
shady one, and — Lady Ilfracombe’s letters.” 

‘^But, Mr. Portland, you do not know what you are ask- 
ing. My heart is not the least changed since those days. 
Ilfracombe’s conduct — his marriage — have made no differ- 
ence to me. I wish they had. I wish I had got over my 
trouble and could go to you or any man with a clear con- 
science and say, ' I love you.’ But I cannot. I never shall. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


289 


My soul is bound up in that of Ilfracombe. He is my hus- 
band — not that woman^s. I think of him every day — pray 
for him every night — by that name. I know he has 
deserted me, but I have never deserted him, and there were 
reasons in his case that made marriage a necessity. It has 
not destroyed his love for me; that is as true and strong as 
ever, and it would be impossible to me, whilst his love 
lasts, to be any other man^s wife.^^ 

Who told you that Ilfracombe loves you still — that is, 
if he ever loved you ? 

“ He told me so himself, only last night, when we met in 
the meadow. He said he wished he had married me when 
he felt disposed to do it, years ago.^^ 

If he said that, he^s a scoundrel and a liar ! ” cried Jack 
Portland. 

Mr. Portland, how dare you speak so ? Ho one shall 
call Lord Ilfracombe such names in my presence. He was 
never dishonest or untrue. He was always the best and 
kindest and most generous of men to me — just as you 
heard his wife say this evening — and whoever speaks 
against him must be my enemy.^^ 

I am not thaV^ replied J ack Portland. How, look 
here. Miss Llewellyn. The facts are these: Ilfracombe, 
whatever he may have said to you, is simply infatuated 
with his wife. He defers to her will — follows her about 
like a lamb, with a blue ribbon round its neck — and obeys 
her in everything. Ho one who sees him, can help observ- 
ing how madly in love he is. That is my hold over her. 
Ilfracombe loses a great deal of money to me. I donT 
deny it. His money is useful to me, and it is in my power 
to ruin him if I choose. Indeed, I have done a little that 
way already. Two years ago, in Malta, I met his wife, then 
Hora Abinger, and had a pretty hot flirtation with her. 
There was no real harm in it, but there was not much 
bloom left on the plum for the next comer, and she com- 
promised herself in so many ways, that no prejudiced per- 
son would think our acquaintanceship had been an inno- 
cent one. A case of circumstantial evidence, certainly; 
but so are most cases that end fatally for the actors in 
them. Well, to speak plainly, this is how I stand with the 
Earl and Countess. I could ruin them both to-morrow if 


290 


A BAJ^KRUPT HEART. 


I chose; and it is for you to render me harmless — draw the 
dragon^s teeth, in fact, and transform him into a lamb.'’^ 
Nell had grown very white as Portland alluded to Ilfra- 
combe^s affection for his wife, but still she shook her head 
and repeated: 

I couldn’t — indeed, I couldn’t ! ” 

AYhen I spoke to you last,” persisted Portland, things 
were quite different. Then, you expected your lover to 
return to you any day, and you were horrified at the idea 
of stepping from one equivocal position to another. Now 
all is changed. Ilfracombe will never live with you again. 
You are sure of that. He has left you unprotected, and 
thrown back upon a life for which he unfitted you, without 
any prospects for the future — a ruined woman, yet, with 
all the instincts of a lady. And I offer you marriage — an 
honest position, if nothing else, and a return to some of 
the luxuries of life to which you have so long been accus- 
tomed. Is it not worth thinking over ? ” 

Nell looked at Jack Portland steadily. She had always 
hated and despised him, and never more so than at the 
present moment — but he held the fate of Ilfracombe in his 
hands. He could ruin his fortune, and destroy his domes- 
tic happiness — and he put it in her power to save him. 
What if she could do it? AYould it be a greater sacrifice 
than flinging her^lf in the water had been ? Could it be 
a crueler fate than that which she endured now? Could 
anything — even marriage with Jack Portland, prove more 
bitter than her present existence, and the bare outlook for 
the future ? 

What security would you give me — in case of my com- 
plying with your proposal — that my sacrifice would not be 
wasted, that you would not continue to lead Ilfracombe 
into extravagance and folly, until you had ruined him ? ” 

Your best security would lie in the possession of her 
ladyship’s letters,” was the reply. She has such a whole- 
some dread of my producing them at present, that she 
dares not influence her husband to give up my acquaint- 
ance. But Madame Nora hates me too genuinely to delay 
setting her own machinery in motion, one minute after she 
knows she has no more to fear from me. Set your mind 
at ease on that score. Miss Llewellyn. The whole matter 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


291 


lies in a nutshell — my possession of those letters. They 
are the locks of Sampson — the heel of Achilles. Once take 
them out of my hands, and I am powerless to harm — my 
Yulnerable spot is found.^^ 

Tell me all your conditions, continued Nell, in a low 
yoice. 

Jack Portland's eyes glistened, as he exclaimed, eagerly: 

They shall not be difficult ones, my dear. If you will 
consent to come with me, and be married at the registrar’s 
office, the letters are yours.” 

No, no, I will not trust you, Mr. Portland. I must 
have the letters first.” 

" I have greater faith than you have. I believe I can 
trust you. You are too noble a woman to deceive me.” 

^^If I say I will marry you, I will marry you. You may 
rely on that. My worst enemies never called me a liar. But 
I promise nothing more.” 

I ask for nothing more,” replied Mr. Portland. Come, 
I will make a bargain with you, Nell. I will ride into New- 
port to-morrow morning, and get the license. We must 
give them twenty-four hours’ notice, and the next day we 
will be married, and, as soon as the ceremony is over, the 
letters shall be placed in your hand. Will that satisfy 
you ? ” 

“ No. I must be allowed to examine them first, to make 
sure they are the original ones; and I must have your at- 
testation in writing, that you have never received any 
others from Miss Abinger, and that if, at any time, such 
should crop up, they will be forgeries. Else, how can I be 
sure that it — it — might not all b^e in vain ? ” 

“You know how to drive a hard bargain, Nell, but I 
agree. Give me yourself, and I am willing to give up 
everything on earth in exchange. So it is a bargain, then. 
To-morrow (or, rather to-day, for the dawn is breaking) is 
Thursday, and to-morrow, Friday, will be our wedding- 
day.” 

“ An unlucky day,” said Nell, with a slight shiver. “ But 
I have not promised yet. You must give me till this after- 
noon to think it over, Mr. Portland. It has been too hur- 
ried a proposal.” 

“ 0 come, I say, that’s too bad. You’ve as good as said 


292 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


you’d consent. I’m in down-right earnest, Nell, ’pon my 
soul, I am; and, as far as in me lies. I’ll make you a good 
husband. Now, don’t be afraid. I know you never had 
a great opinion of me, but I’m going to reform now, on my 
word, I am, and turn over a new leaf, if you’ll only help 
me. Come, now, say it’s a settled thing.” 

Not till this afternoon,” she reiterated. Be here at two 
o’clock, and I will give you my final answer then. But only 
under the conditions I have named. I must have the let- 
ters beforehand to examine, and the assurance that you 
have kept none of them back, and then you shall deliver 
them to me in the registrar’s office. On no other terms 
will I meet you there.” 

All right; I agree to them. But now you had better 
go, or Lennox may come rushing in. Grood-night. Are 
you not going to kiss me before you leave ? ” 

Nell shook her head. 

“There will be time for that afterwards,” she said,, 
gravely; “ and don’t forget, Mr. Portland, that I have held 
back nothing from you to-night, and that I come to you 
with no disguise. You have seen into my heart. If yon 
elect to buy an empty casket, don’t blame the seller.” 

“ I shall blame no one and nothing^” he replied. “ I am 
only too pleased to get you on any terms. I see you do not 
believe me when I say I love you, and have loved you, all 
along. You think such a word from my lips a sacrilege; 
hut still it is true, and I shall try to make you love me in 
return. I am a wild, reckless, perhaps dishonorable fel- 
low; but I have one soft spot in my heart, and that is for 
you. I shall be here, without fail, at two o’clock this after- 
noon. Mind you, have your answer ready. And mark you, 
Nell,” he continued, rather fiercely, “if it is ‘no,’ the fate 
of the Ilfracombes is sealed. I shall not be able to bear 
the disappointment. I shall lay it at his door, and I will 
take my revenge without delay. You understand?” 

“ Yes, perfectly. And I think my answer will not be ‘no.’ ”■ 
She passed away through the narrow passage as sho 
spoke, and J ack Portland stood and watched her disappear,, 
with a new feeling in his heart. 

As for Nell, when she had reached the sanctuary of her 
own room, her thoughts were not of this extraordinary en- 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


293 


gagement to marry — so suddenly and unexpectedly entered 
into — and with all men in the world. Jack Portland — she 
did not think of the sacrifice she was about to make, and 
for her rival. Lady Ilfracombe. No. Her whole mind was 
bent on solving one question, the only thing which affected 
her in the whole transaction — did Lord Ilfracombe really 
love his wife, as Mr. Portland said he did? What incom- 
prehensible animals women are. She loved this man with 
her whole soul. She desired his happiness and welfare 
above all earthly things. She had been ready to throw her 
life away when she heard he had deserted her. She was 
ready now, for his sake, and to save the honor of his name, 
to take upon herself a marriage, the very thought of which 
she loathed and abhorred — but she could not bear the idea 
that he was happier in his love for his wife than he had 
been with her; that he had forgotten, in fact, the days 
which they had spent together, or was glad that they were 
gone. Her inward cry still was: ^^Tell me you love me 
best, of all the world, and the other woman can have your 
title and your money.^^ 

To hear Jack Portland expatiating on the EarPs infatua- 
tion for his Countess had been the bitterest thing Nell had 
yet been called upon to bear — the motive which had made 
her consent, against her will, to become his wife. But, yet, 
she did not quite believe it. She recalled Ilfracombe's affec- 
tionate words of the evening before — his pleasure at meeting 
her again — his regret that he had not done the right thing 
by her years before — and was resolved to know the truth 
for herself before she finally sealed her fate by consenting 
to Mr. Portland's proposal. As she cogitated thus, all in 
a cold tremble and flutter, Nell came to the desperate 
resolve to seek an interview with the Earl and tell him of 
this proposal and ask his advice whether she should marry 
or not. Then she should see, she said to herself, by his 
look, his manner, his sorrow or his joy, if he loved her still. 
But he would not let her marry, Nell felt certain of that, 
and smiled as she thought of it. But, then, the letters — 
these fatal letters — what would become of him and the 
Countess if she declined ? She sat by the window until it 
was time to dress herself anew, without being able to arrive 
at any satisfactory conclusion. 


294 


CHAPTEE VII. 

When she descended to the parlor, her father and mother 
were already seated at the breakfast table. To her courteous 

good-morning/^ they vouchsafed no reply. They were 
evidently still displeased with her for her rebellion of the 
night before. Nell went up to the farmer^s side and laid 
her hand on his. 

Father/'’ she said, in a trembling voice, have been 
thinking over what you asked me yesterday, and I am will- 
ing to do as you say. I will go to Lord Ilfracombe and 
ask him to intercede with Sir Archibald Bowmant about 
the raising of your rent.'’^ 

This avowal changed the manner of both the old people 
at once. 

That^s my good lass ! exclaimed her mother. “ I knew 
you wouldnT hold out against father and me for long.'’'’ 

^AVell done, Nell!^^ replied Mr. Llewellyn; “and you’ll 
succeed, my girl, for it’s few men, be they lords or plough- 
boys, that would like to refuse anything to a face like 
yours.” 

“ Lor! father, don’t go pulling the maid up on her good 
looks,” cried his wife; “^handsome is as handsome does/ 
that’s my motto. But I don’t think his lordship will 
refuse her, all the same, for he was rare generous to her 
whilst she was in service. Ah, Nell, ’twas the foolishest 
thing as you ever did to chuck up that place. You might 
find out, whilst you’re about it, if there should happen to 
be a vacancy in her ladyship’s house now.” 

“All right, mother,” said Nell, gently; and then, draw- 
ing a letter from her pocket, she continued: “I wrote 
this note to Lord Ilfracombe last night, father, and if you 
approve it, you might send it over to the Hall by Tom.” 

She unfolded the paper and read: 

“My Lord: My father wishes that I should speak to 
you on a matter, important to himself. If it should be 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


295 


quite convenient, will your lordship send word by the 
bearer at what hour this morning I could have a few 
minutes^ conversation with you? 

Yours respectfully, 

Llewellyn.^^ 

“ A very proper note,^’ said her mother, approvingly. 

Ay! and don’t our Nell write a neat hand ? ” put in the 
farmer. You’re a rare scholar, Nell, though I don’t know 
where you got it; for Hetty, who had the same advantages, 
can’t do more than manage a few words, and them not 
legible. It’ll do, rarely, my lass, and is just the thing I 
wanted. His lordship can’t refuse so simple a request. I’ll 
send Tom over with it at once.” And he rose from table 
for the purpose. 

Come, now, my girl, sit down, do, and eat your break- 
fast,” quoth Mrs. Llewellyn, seeing that her daughter still 
lingered by the window. 

No, thank you, mother. I don’t feel like eating this 
morning. I wrote the letter because I don’t like to cross 
father, but I’ve a faint heart about it. The Earl may not 
like to be worried, now he’s out for a holiday, and I’d be 
loath to make him angry.” 

“ Nonsense, Nell! He must be a cranky fellow if a little 
note like yours would put him out. He can’t but say ^ No,’ 
lass, and then there’ll be no harm done. But if you hadn’t 
writ it, father would likely have always thought you might 
have saved the rent if you’d had a mind to, so it’s just as 
well to humor him. Come, take your tea, or I’ll be angry.” 

The girl drank the cup of tea which her mother handed 
her, and took up her station again by the window. 

If he should be angry, she thought, or if he should be 
engaged and unable to see her, how could she face the 
other without knowing the worst, or the best ? And if the 
best — what then? Her life seemed to have become a 
tangled coil which she had no power of unraveling. In 
about half an hour she saw the hedger, Tom, shambling 
down the dell, with a white envelope in his hands. She 
rushed forward feverishly to intercept him. It was stamped 
with the Earl’s coronet. Nell tore it open and devoured 
its contents. 


296 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


Dear Miss Llewellyn: If you will be in Mrs. 
Hody’s sitting-room at eleven o’clock, I will come to you 
there for a few minutes. Yours faithfully, 

Ilfracombe.” 

He would see her, then; she would see him. All, for the 
moment, seemed bright again. 

Her parents were delighted with the news. 

“ There, now, what did I tell ye ? ” said Mr. Llewellyn. 

I knew no gentleman, let alone a lord, would refuse to see 
a servant as had done her duty by him. You’ve done the 
job now, Nell, as sure as a gun. The Earl will persuade 
Sir Archibald to lower the rent again, and mother and me 
will feel we owe it all to you. Give me a buss, lass. It’s 
summat for a man to have such a handsome daughter to 
boast of. They may say as beauty is deceitful, but it beats 
brains any day. You’ve saved the old farm to us, my girl, 
and I’m thankful to you for it.” 

I’ll do my best, dear father,” said Nell, but you 
mustn’t make too sure. The Earl, with all the good will 
in the world, may not have the power; but I’m sure he’ll 
try to get it done.” 

And when did you ever hear of a lord trying for any- 
thing that didn’t succeed ? ” exclaimed her mother. It 
isn’t as if he was a nobody. But come, my lass, you mustn’t 
go up to the Hall in that soiled dress. You’ve a clean 
print in your drawers, so go and jmt it on, and make your 
hair tidy. It looks as if you’d been up all night.” 

And the old woman bundled her daughter up-stairs to 
look after her wardrobe. 

Now, where did you put that nasty poison ? ” she asked, 
as they entered the bedroom together. 

^AVhere you told me, mother; on the top of the ward- 
robe,” answered Nell. 

“ Have you written a label for it yet ? ” 

No; I forgot to do so.” 

^^Well, don’t you put it off another day,” replied Mrs. Llew- 
ellyn, for father was quite vexed with me for letting the 
bottle go out of my hands. He says a wineglassful of that 
stuff would kill the strongest man in Monmouth.” 

No one can get at it there,” said Nell, quietly. 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


297 


“ That’s all right, then; but I shouldn’t like for there to 
be an accident with it. Here, Nell, tie this blue silk hand- 
kerchief round your throat. You always look so nice in 
blue, I think.” 

Nell assented passively to all her mother’s propositions; 
and, putting a straw hat on her head, walked slowly up the 
meadow, and through the pine plantation to the private 
apartments of the housekeeper at the Hall. 

^^Well, Nell,” said Mrs. Hody, when she arrived there, 
and so you’ve come to have a private audience of his lord- 
ship. He came to tell me he would see you here at eleven 
o’clock; but, as it was a private matter, he did not wish to 
have it discussed in the dining-room, so I was to send him 
word quietly, when you arrived. And what can you have 
to say to the Earl, I wonder, as all the world can’t hear ? ” 
“ I asked to speak to Lord Ilfracombe on some business 
connected with my father, Mrs. Hody,” replied Nell, blush- 
ing. “ He was my former master, you know, or father 
would have come himself. But he thought his lordship 
would rather see me.” 

Ah ! well, I suppose it’s all right,” responded the vir- 
tuous housekeeper; ‘^but I should have thought the study 
or the gun-room would have been a fitter place. However, 
now you’re here, please to sit down, and I’ll go and tell his 
lordship as you’re come. You may have to wait a bit, I’m 
not sure as they’ve finished breakfast; but he’ll be here, I 
suppose, before long. Bless me! but you do look dazed, 
Nell Llewellyn. That fever has run you down terrible. 
Will you have a glass of wine before I go ? ” 

No, thank you, Mrs. Hody,” replied the girl, as she sat 
down in a chair, and leaned her aching head against the wall. 

Mrs. Hody bustled out of the room, and it seemed ages to 
Nell before any one came to join her. She heard voices 
and laughter proceeding from the garden, and many other 
sounds indicative of life and enjoyment, but all about the 
housekeeper’s domains the intensest quiet seemed to reign. 
At last it was broken by the sound of a light, quick foot- 
step, coming along the stone passage, which made Nell’s 
heart leap within her bosom, and, in another moment, the 
door opened and closed, and Lord Ilfracombe stood before 
her. Nell struggled to her feet to meet him. 


298 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


0 Vernie! were her first words. It is not my fault.^^ 

Hus — h ! said the Earl, as he opened the door again, 

and listened to hear if, by any chance, they could be over- 
heard. You mustn^t call me by that name, Nell, lest any 
of the servants should have a mind for eaves-dropping.^^ 

It was a small thing and a very natural thing for him 
to say, but it fell on the girPs excited spirits like a cold 
douche. 

1 forgot. Forgive me,” she recommenced. It was 
not my fault (I was going to say) that you received that 
note — my Lord. I would not have sent it to the Hall on any 
account; but my father fancied I might have some influ- 
ence with you in a certain matter, and insisted on my ask- 
ing to see you.” 

It is all right,” he said, kindly; only we must keep to 
the business — you understand.” 

0 yes,” she answered with a catch in her breath, and 
it is soon told. My father has been a tenant of Sir Archi- 
bald’s for many years — twenty-five, I think, or more. He 
has lived at Panty-cuckoo Farm all his marided life, and 
both I and my sister were born there. Father has done a 
great deal for the land and spent a lot of money on it; but 
Sir Archibald Bowmant keeps raising the rent until he 
fears it will be impossible for him to keep it on. And he 
thought, perhaps — father thought that — you might be able 
to help him by your influence with Sir Archibald.” 

“ But I don’t quite understand,” said the Earl. What 
is it Mr. Llewellyn wants me to do, Nell?” 

He fancied you might be able to remonstrate with Sir 
Archibald, because it is so unfair.” 

Lord Ilfracombe looked grave. 

“ I am sorry to refuse any request of your father’s, but I 
really don’t see my way to it. I am not a friend of Sir 
Archibald’s, you see. I am quite a new acquaintance, and 
I know nothing of his monetary affairs. I am afraid he 
would resent any interference on my part as a liberty.” 

“ I told father so,” replied Nell, whose eyes were fixed 
on the Earl all the time. “ I thought just the same myself, 
but he was so obstinate I did not know how to refuse him 
without — raising his suspicions.” 

Ah! ” replied Ilfracombe, thoughtfully. Noio, don’t 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


299 


you see the imprudence of refusing to accept any settlement 
at my hands, Nell? You might have helped your father in 
this emergency.''^ 

Not with your money, Lord Ilfracombe, given in such 
a cause. You don’t know my father. He would have died 
sooner than have taken it.” 

“Like his daughter,” said the Earl. “Well, you don’t 
know how unhappy you have made me by refusing all 
assistance at my hands; and since I met you the other 
evening and learned that you were alive, you have occupied 
all my thoughts, Nell. I will tell you what I will do, if 
possible. I will ask Sir Archibald Bowmant if he will sell 
me Panty-cuckoo Farm; and if he will part with the 
property, and I become your father’s landlord, he need not 
fear my raising the rent to him. I should feel much more 
inclined to lower it. And then, some day, Nell, when you 
marry, as I have done, you will let me settle the old farm 
on you as a wedding present, and set my poor conscience 
at rest for evermore, won’t you ? ” 

Nell set her teeth hard together, as she replied: 

“Would you like to see me married? Would it make 
you happier ?” 

There waS not much need for him to reply. The light that 
illumined his whole face at the idea was sufficient answer. 

“ Is there any chance of it ? ” he asked, eagerly. 

“ There is an excellent chance if I choose to accept it. A 
man — a gentleman — who knows the circumstances of my 
life, and so cannot say afterwards that I have deceived 
him, has made me an offer of marriage, though I have not 
yet definitely accepted him.” 

“And do you like him, Nell? Will he be kind to you?’^ 
said Ilfracombe. 

He would have liked to see her respectably married; for, 
whilst she lived as she was doing now, she was a constant 
reproach to him; but, like all his sex, though unwilling to 
accept the responsibility himself, he did not quite like the 
idea of any other man possessing what had been his. But 
he stamped down the feeling. It would decidedly be for 
the best, he said to himself. 

“ Does he love you? A\^ould he be good to you ? ” he re- 
peated, anxiously. 


300 


A BANKKUPT HEART. 


He says he loves me/^ she answered, slowly; and I 
shall take good care he is not unkind to me.^^ 

‘^A man would be a brute who could be unkind to 
you,^^ said the Earl, with deep feeling in his voice. ‘'^Nell, 
I think that your illness has made you more beautiful than 
over. It has refined your whole appearance. But this 
man — I am glad he is a gentleman. You are not fit to be 
the wife of a clown, and you can hold your own with any 
lady in the land.^^ 

“ So you advise me to marry him,^^ she said, raising her 
large, liquid eyes to his face. Ilfracombe remembered 
afterwards how much they looked like the eyes of a dumb 
animal that regard you patiently, never mind what pain 
you may be putting it to; but, at the time, he only saw their 
pathetic beauty. 

My dear girl,^^ he replied, drawing nearer to her, and 
taking her hand in his; ‘^how can I do otherwise than ad- 
vise you to accept this proposal; that is, if the fellow has 
enough to keep you in a decent position of life. It is hard 
for a woman to fight the world alone, Nell. You are very 
beautiful, and the world will look kindly on you whilst you 
remain so; but beauty does not last forever, and when the 
evil days of old age, and perhaps penury come, it is well 
for a woman, if she is an honored and respected wife. You 
know I must feel very deeply on tliis subject, for the reason 
that /, in my reckless thoughtlessness, have done so much 
to mar your prospects of making a good marriage; but if I 
find that, spite of all, you do marry well, I shall be a very 
grateful, and a very happy man.^’ 

“ If I knew that you would have no regrets,^^ said Nell, 
with white, parched lips; if I were sure that you loved 
your wife, and she loved you 

0 if that assurance will make your task easier, my poor 
Nell, let me give it you,’" cried Ilfracombe; ^^and, in- 
deed, I am sure it is better in any case, since everything 
between we two is over, that we should understand each 
other perfectly on that point. I do love my wife with 
all my heart, and I hope — nay, I believe she loves me al- 
most as well. You could hardly suppose that I should 
have married her, else— under the circumstances. She 
had no money — no particular birth, and no particular 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


301 


good looks. What should I have married her for, except 
for love? But she took me completely by storm the 
first time I met her, and I have been at her feet ever 
since. So you need have no scruples on that score. And 
I believe, Nell — indeed, I feel sure, that if you were mar- 
ried, and especially to a gentleman, Nora would prove a 
true friend to you. She is a warm-hearted girl, without any 
affectation about her, and I told her the history of our ac- 
quaintance, and she was genuinely sorry for your fate. You 
need fear nothing from Nora. She will he as glad to hear 
you are happily married as I shall be.'’^ 

That is enough,^^ said Nell, in a low voice. That 
settles the matter, my Lord; but I thought I should like to 
hear you say so with your own lips, first. The next thing 
you will hear will he of my marriage.^’ 

But when is it to be, Nell, and what is the happy man^s 
name ? asked the Earl, in quite a new voice, it was so 
merry, and buoyant, and relieved. 

0 you will know all that in good time,^^ replied the girl^ 
trying to imitate his cheerfulness. It is not quite a set- 
tled thing yet, but it will he soon, now.'’^ 

And you will not refuse to take a wedding present 
from me, Nell, for the old times^ sake, will you V’ said Il- 
fracombe, insinuatingly. Perhaps it may be Panty- 
cuckoo Farm, who knows ? if Sir Archibald consents to part 
with it, and then you will become your father's landlord. 
Wouldn't that be funny ? How surprised the old people 
would be, when you showed them the title-deeds. And you 
will let me have the very first intimation of the event, won't 
you ? " 

1 will, my Lord," said Nell, in a dull, constrained tone. 

No, no, Nellie, not that. I was only obliged to caution 

you just now, because the servants are so beastly curious in 
this house. But we are quite alone, and you must call me 
^ Vernie ' again, just once more, and kiss me as you used to 
do in the old days." 

She turned, and caught him passionately to her breast, 
and murmured in his ear: Vernie, Vernie, God bless you 

forever." 

Go& bless you, Nell V’ he responded, as he kissed her 
heartily in return. 


302 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


I am going now/^ she said, presently, with trembling 
lips, ‘^and we may not meet again — not just yet. You of- 
fered to do great things for me, Vernie, but I would rather 
you were a friend to my old father. If — if — anything 
should happen to me, will you be kind to him for my sake ? 
Give him a little help if he should need it, dear, or become 
his landlord, if possible, which would please me better than 
anything.” 

I will be his friend, and yours, Nell, to my life’s end,” 
replied Ilfracombe; “ and if I cannot purchase Panty-cuckoo 
Farm, and matters grow worse here, he shall have one of 
my own farms in Huntingdonshire, and be comfortable for 
the rest of his days. But why do you say, if anything 
should happen to you ’ ? What should happen, my dear ? 
You are getting well and strong, and shall live to a hun- 
dred years with your good man.” 

Do you think so ? ” replied the girl, with a sad smile. 
^^Well, if I do, my parents shall owe their comfort to no 
other hand than mine, and if I don’t — you will not forget 
your promise to me.” 

And before he could say another word to her, she had 
gone. The two old people were awaiting her return with 
the greatest anxiety, and exuberant were their rejoicings 
when they heard the news she had to tell. The Earl had 
not only promised to try and purchase Panty-cuckoo Farm, 
but had said that, in the event of his failure, he would 
transplant them all to one of his own farms in Huntingdon- 
shire. 

Aye,” exclaimed the old man, though it’ll be a sore 
wrench to leave Panty-cuckoo Farm, ’twill be a fine thing 
to live under his lordship’s tenancy. Sir Archibald — he’s 
only an upstart, when all’s said and done. His father was 
the first baronet, and it takes centuries to make ’em know 
their places. He wouldn’t never have thought of sweating 
the tenantry for to pay his own rates and taxes, if he’d been 
a thoroughbred ’un; but I suppose he knows no better. 
But the Earl Ilfracombe — why, of course, he knows how to 
treat those that work to make the prosperity of the coun- 
try. He’s a real aristocrat, born and bred, and wouldn’t 
demean himself to raise a man’s rent to pay for his own 
extravagances. Whatever we might feel at leaving the old 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


303 


farm, lass, I don^t know if we wouldn^t be wiser to take his 
lordship’s offer at once and transplant all our goods and 
chattels to Huntingdonshire.” 

“But you mustn’t do anything in a hurry, father!” ex- 
claimed his wife, alarmed by the rapidity of her good man’s 
ideas; “ you must wait till we have word from his lordship. 
But it’s a fine thing you thought of, sending our Nell over 
to the Hall to speak with him. It’s made our fortunes. 
We shall all be the better for it, sha’n’t us, my lass?” 

“ Yes, all” replied her daughter, in a dull tone, as if she 
were dreaming. 

“Now, I declare, girl, if you haven’t got one of your 
muddly fits on again,” said Mrs. Llewellyn. “ If you spoke 
to his lordship in that sort of way, I wonder he ever listened 
to you. He must have thought you were half asleep. It 
all comes of your taking no breakfast. Who ever heard of 
a healthy young woman beginning the day on an empty 
stomach ? It’s absurd to think of such a thing.” 

Nell went up to her mother and kissed her wrinkled 
forehead. 

“Never mind, mother,” she said, gently; “ don’t grumble 
at me to-day, for I don’t feel as if I could bear it. You 
shall think better of me to-morrow, I promise you.” 

And so she left the farmer and his wife to congratulate 
each other on the possession of so handsome a daughter, 
that no one could find it in their hearts to refuse her any- 
thing. 

And Nell sat in her own room, thinking — thinking. It 
was nearing the hour when she had promised to give Mr. 
Portland her answer. He had agreed to come to that place 
for it, and stand under her window till she appeared to 
give it him. He was more eager for it than one would have 
given him cre(Tit for. He had lain awake the night before, 
wondering if Nell had really meant what she said, and what 
his life would feel like when she brought her gracious 
presence into it. He could jest and be sarcastic with her, 
when he saw no likelihood of her consenting to marry him; 
but now that she had half consented, his feelings seemed 
already to have become somewhat purified by the very possi- 
bility of such a thing. Perhaps those few hours of anticipa- 
tion formed the best part of Jack Portland’s existence— the 


304 


A BAITKRUPT HEART. 


least like the years that had gone before it. He felt 
humbled as he looked back upon the past — fearful as he 
contemplated the future. For the first time, he knew him- 
self to be utterly unworthy of the regard or the possession 
of a good woman. And as he stood beneath Nell Llew- 
ellyn's window, he felt certain that she would tell him she 
could not consent to such a step. Fancy his relief and 
pleasure when she looked for a moment from the casement 
and said: 

“ Mr. Portland, I have made up my mind, and it is 
to he:^ 


305 


CHAPTER VIII. 

The license having been procured, the marriage cere- 
mony before the registrar of TJsk was accomplished in a 
very few minutes. Jack Portland had only to meet Nell 
at the office the following morning, and, in half an hour, 
they walked out again, man and wife. The girl was very 
calm and collected over the whole affair — so calm, indeed, 
that her new-made husband looked at her with surprise. 
They walked back to their respective destinations by a bye 
path, so that they might converse unseen, though nobody 
in Usk would have been very much astonished if they had 
encountered one of the gentlemen from the Hall, taking a 
stroll with such a notorious beauty as Farmer Llewellyn^s 
daughter. 

Well, Neiy^ commenced Jack Portland, '^so it really is 
un fait accompli, and you are Mrs. Portland. Have you 
told the old people yet ? 

“No. I waited until, as you say, it should be an accom- 
plished thing.^^ 

“ When shall you break the news to them ? WonT they be 
very much surprised ? How will they take it, do you think ? 

“ O they will only feel too honored at my having made 
such a good match — at my having married a ‘ real gentle- 
man,^’^ replied Nell, with quiet sarcasm. “What else 
should farmers feel? ” 

You’ll have to tell them before you join me at ‘The 
Three Pilchards ’ this evening.” 

“ Perhaps. It depends on what humor they may be in. 
At all events, you can announce the fact to them to-mor- 
row morning.” 

What a funny girl you are, to want to run away from 
home in so secret a manner. Is it because of Ilfracombe’s 
vicinity? Are you afraid he will be jealous? It would be 
very unjust if he were. A regular dog in the manger sort 
of business.” 

“No; you are quite mistaken. I am afraid of no one. 


306 


A BAI^KKUPT HEAKT. 


and nothing. I am my own mistress, and free to do as I 
choose. It is my fad to have things as I say. But let us 
sit down here for a minute, whilst we decide exactly what 
we intend to do.^^ 

She took a seat upon a grassy bank as she spoke, and 
drew a packet of letters from her pocket. Jack Portland 
sat down beside her, and regarded them ruefully. 

There go all my hopes of making any more money out 
of that muff, Ilfracombe. Nell, you ought to think I value 
you very highly, to have struck such a bargain with you as 
I have.'’^ 

Do you think so ? she rejoined. ‘^Well, I prophesy, 
Mr. Portland, that a day will come when you will look back 
and bless me for having had the courage to buy these let- 
ters from you, at whatever cost — a day when you will re- 
gard the life you have led hitherto with loathing and ab- 
horrence, and scorn to do a dishonorable act. A day when 
you will thank heaven that you are an honest man, and 
live by honest work alone.” 

I am afraid that day is in the clouds, Nell; that is, if 
you call play dishonest, for I should never live to see it, 
without.” 

I am not so sure of that. There must be something 
better in your nature than you have discovered yet, or you 
would not have offered to make a ruined woman, like my- 
self, your wife.” 

‘^Let us hope there is, for your sake. Now, as for our 
plans.” 

These are foolish Lady Ilfracombe^’s letters,” said Nell, 
handling the packet, “ and here is your affirmation that 
there are no more in your possession. Did you make the 
appointment with her in the meadow for this afternoon at 
five o'^clock.” 

Yes. I wrote her a note to say I had received the 
packet from London, and would deliver it to her, without 
fail, at that hour.” 

She has good reason to doubt the truth of your prom- 
ise; but to see you in the meadow will not be compromis- 
ing, so she will keep the appointment, and I shall be there 
to meet her. You will not expect to see me at the ^ Three 
Pilchards ^ before nine.” 


A BAN^KRUPT HEART. 


307 


Can^t you come earlier ? 

Not without exciting the suspicions of my parents, and 
making my mother resolve to sit up to let me in again. It 
will be better as I say. At nine o'clock, or a little after, I 
shall be there. I hope the registrar will not blab the news 
of our marriage through Usk before that time." 

I think not. I pledged him to secrecy with a golden 
tip. But to-morrow every one must know it, both at Usk 
Hall and Panty-cuckoo Farm." " 

0 yes, certainly. To-morrow every one must know it," 
replied Nell, in the same impassive tone; ‘^and now we 
had better think of going back, Mr. Portland." 

" Not ‘ Mr. Portland,' now, Nell, surely," said her com- 
panion. You must call me ^ Jack.' " 

J ack," repeated the girl, as if she were saying a lesson. 

They rose together, as she spoke, and proceeded towards 
the Hall. When they reached the farm gates, Nell slipped 
from him without any further farewell, and entered her 
father's house. Jack Portland looked after her, a little 
wistfully. He had married her, certainly, but had he 
gained her ? Had she done it only to save Lord Ilfracombe 
from further disgrace and ruin — to save his Countess' repu- 
tation for the sake of his hitherto unblemished name? He 
was not quite sure, but he had a shrewd suspicion of the 
truth; and as Mr. Portland turned away, he sighed. 

Lady Ilfracombe was in high spirits at luncheon that 
afternoon. Jack had actually compromised himself to the 
degree of writing to assure her she should receive back 
her letters; and, for the first time, perhaps, she really 
believed him. Her eyes were dancing and her cheeks were 
flushed with expectation. When her husband asked her 
how she intended to spend the afternoon, she actually 
laughed across the table at Mr. Portland, as she replied 
that she had promised to take a stroll with his friend. 

“Old Jack and you going botanizing together!" ex- 
claimed Ilfracombe; “that is a good joke. Well, I was 
going to ask him to ride over to Ponty-pool with me, but 
I suppose your sex gives you the prior claim." 

“I should rather think so," said the Countess; ^^at least, 
if Mr. Portland deserts me, it will be the last time I ever 
make an appointment with him, so mind that, Mr. Portland." 


308 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


Don^t alarm yourself, Lady Ilfracombe,” replied J ack 
Portland, who also appeared to be in unusually good spirits 
that afternoon; my word is my bond. Besides, as you 
leave Usk so soon, it may be my last opportunity of enjoy- 
ing a tUe-a-Ute with her ladyship for some time to come. 
Is the date of your departure definitely fixed ? ” 

Definitely,” replied the Earl. ‘‘We start en route for 
Wiesbaden by the three o’clock train to-morrow afternoon. 
We don’t expect to be on the Continent more than a few 
weeks. Jack; and when we return to Thistlemere, for the 
shooting, you must join us, as usual.” 

Mr. Portland looked important. 

“Well, I’m not quite sure of that, old chap. It’s 
awfully good of you to ask me, but we will talk of it after- 
wards. If you don’t start till three, to-morrow, I expect I 
shall have some news to tell you before you go.” 

“News!” cried Lady Ilfracombe. “0 Mr. Portland! 
what is it ? Do tell us at once. What is it about ? Any- 
thing to do with us, or does it only concern yourself? Is 
it good news or bad ? Now, don’t keep us in this terrible 
suspense.” 

“ How like a woman! ” exclaimed Mr. Portland. “ How 
much would you leave for to-morrow at this rate? No, 
Lady Ilfracombe, my news must really wait. It will come 
on you as a great surprise, but I hope it won’t be a dis- 
agreeable one. Now, there is food for your curiosity to 
feed on for the rest of this afternoon. Grand news, remem- 
ber, and something you have never dreamt of before — the 
most incredible thing you could conceive.” 

“You’re going to be married!” cried Nora, with femi- 
nine audacity, which set the whole table in a roar. 

“Well, you have drawn on your imagination. Lady Ilfra- 
combe, this time,” said Sir Archibald. “Mr. Portland 
married ! I should as soon think of my kestrel hawk going 
in for the domesticities.” 

“ J ack married ! ” laughed the Earl. “ Come, you have, 
indeed, thought of the most incredible thing you could 
conceive. We shall have you writing a novel after this^ 
Nora. You have evidently a gift for imagining the infin- 
itely impossible.” 

“ There must be something very ridiculous about me, I 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


309 


fear/^ said Mr. Portland, that every one thinks it such a 
far-fetched idea that I should settle down.^" 

“ You settle down, old man!^^ replied Ilfracombe. ^^Yes, 
when you’re carried to your grave, not before. However, 
let us change so unprofitable a subject. You are booked, 
then, Nora, for the day, so, perhaps. Lady Bowmant will 
permit me to be her cavalier.” 

With pleasure. Lord Ilfracombe. I shall be delighted 
to get you to myself for a little, since you are going to be 
cruel enough to desert us so soon.” 

They all rose, laughing, from table after that and dis- 
persed to their separate apartments. 

It was pleasant and cool when Nora strolled out to the 
meadow to meet Jack Portland. Her thoughts were pleas- 
ant, too. On the next day she was going to take her hus- 
band far away from the temptation of Mr. Portland’s 
society, and she hoped, before they met him again, to have 
persuaded Ilfracombe to give up play altogether. These 
abominable letters would be destroyed by that time. She 
was determined that she would burn them to ashes as soon 
as ever she got them in her hands, and then the coast 
would be clear before her and Ilfracombe for the rest of 
their married life. She hummed the air of a popular ditty 
to herself as she walked through the rich, thick grass, 
expecting to see Mr. Portland every moment coming to 
meet her with the longed-for packet in his hands. 

Instead of which, a young woman, plainly attired, came 
up to her and said: 

I beg your pardon. Lady Ilfracombe, but are you wait- 
ing for Mr. Portland ? ” 

Nora turned round, exclaiming, angrily: And what busi- 
ness is that of yours?” when she recognized the speaker. 

0 Miss Llewellyn, is that you ? I— I— did not know you 
at first. Yes, I am waiting for Mr. Portland, though I 
cannot think how you came to know it.” 

Because he told me so himself, and commissioned me 
to deliver this packet to you.” 

Lady Ilfracombe grew very red as she took the letters. 

He commissioned you to give them to me ? It is very 
strange. I do not understand. He said he should be here him- 
self. What on earth made him give this packet to you ? ” 


310 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


“Because I insisted on it; he could not help himself/^ 
replied Nell. “ Lady Ilfracombe, do not be angry with me 
for mentioning it; but my bedroom at the farm-house is 
over that occupied by Mr. Portland, and I was at my win- 
dow the night you visited him there, and heard all that 
passed between you about those letters.’^ 

“ That was eaves-dropping,” exclaimed the Countess, with 
crimson cheeks, “ and you had no right to do it. If you 
made use of what you overheard, you would ruin me with 
my husband.” 

“Do you think me capable of such a thing? I should 
not have listened to a single word, unless I had thought I 
could do you a service by doing so. As soon as I under- 
stood the dilemma you were in, and why you had sought 
that man, I resolved, if possible, to get the letters he was 
so meanly withholding from you.” 

“ You resolved?” cried Nora, in surprise. 

“Yes; and as soon as you and he had left to return to 
the Hall, I went down to his room and ransacked it in order 
to find them. I had not done so, when Mr. Portland came 
back and found me there — after which there was an expla- 
nation between us, and I forced him to give them up to me 
— with a written affirmation that he has no more in his 
possession.” 

“ And he assured me that he had telegraphed to London 
for them, and only received them this morning.” 

“If he said so, you might have been sure it was untrue.” 

“ Miss Llewellyn, you don’t like Jack Portland any more 
than I do,” said Nora, looking straight in the other’s face. 

“ I have no reason to do so. Lady Ilfracombe.” 

“ And you actually did this for me 9 — how good and 
sweet of you it was! I have not been used to receive such 
favors from my own sex. But why did you do it ? What 
am I to you ? ” 

“You are Ms wife,” answered Nell, in a low voice, “and 
he loves you. Lady Ilfracombe, I believe you know who 
I am?” 

“Yes, I think I do,” said Nora, with a little confusion; 
“ I guessed it. I recognized you when we first met from 
your description. You — you — are Nell Llewellyn, are yon 
not — who — who ” 


A BAI^KRUPT HEART. 


311 


Don^t be afraid of wounding me by saying it/^ replied 
Nell, gently; ‘^and don^’t shrink from me, for I shall never 
intrude on your presence again.’’ 

At these words, so sweetly and humbly spoken, all the 
generosity of Lady Ilfracombe’s nature was roused at once. 

Shrink from you, my dear girl, and when you have just 
rendered me the greatest service possible?” she exclaimed. 

What a brute you must think me. Why should I ? 
Neither you nor I is to blame, and you have been so sorely 
injured. We are both Ilfracombe’s wives, I suppose, in 
God’s sight, though I happen to bear his name. It is funny, 
isn’t it, that a Christian country should make such a wide 
difference between a few words pronounced by the law, and 
God’s great law of nature? But, Nell, I am sorry for you, 
indeed I am, and always have been.” 

^‘I believe you,” replied Nell, ‘^for I heard you say so 
that night. But I did not come here to speak with you of 
my own affairs, only to give these letters into your keep- 
ing, and to beg of you, as you value your reputation, and 
your husband’s happiness, never to have any secret dealings 
with Mr. Portland again.” 

‘^Indeed, you may be sure of that. He is a pitiless 
scoundrel, without heart or honor. I have suffered too 
much at his hands to trust him again. But how did you 
manage to get these letters from him ? That is what puz- 
zles me. How did you bribe him, or have you got him 
somehow in your power ? ” 

It little matters,” said Nell, with a shudder of remem- 
brance; ^^he cannot harm me, and I shall not suffer in con- 
sequence. But you will let me speak plainly to you. Lady 
Ilfracombe.” 

Say anything you like,” replied Nora, for I can never 
thank you enough for what you have done for me.” 

When I lived with Lord Ilfracombe, I saw the bad in- 
fluence this man had over him — how he led him into ex- 
travagance and vice, and took the occasion of their so- 
called friendship to rob him of his money, and make him 
risk his good*name.” 

I have seen the same, of course,” said the Countess; 
“ but Ilfracombe is so infatuated with Portland, that he will 
believe nothing against him. But now that I have these 


312 


A BAI^KRUPT HEART. 


letters, I will make my husband break with him, if I die 
for it.^^ 

Yes, do, cZo cried Nell, ^^and, if need be, tell him 
everything, so that he sees him in his true colors. Save 
Lord Ilfracombe from further contamination, as you value 
his happiness and his honor.’^ 

“And what am I to do for you, dear Nell?’^ asked Nora, 
as she took the other’s hand. “ How can I make you happy, 
in return for the great happiness you have given me ? Let 
me do something for you. Don’t be proud, as you were 
that day at the farm, and send me away miserable. Give 
me an opportunity of proving my gratitude.” 

“ Do you meaii that ? Do you say it in earnest ? ” 

“ Indeed, indeed I do.” 

“ Then love Mniy Lady Ilfracombe; love him with all your 
heart and soul, and never let him cast one regretful look 
backwards, or blame himself for things which were beyond 
his control. Tell him, if ever he should speak to you of 
me, that I acquiesced in all his decisions, and thought them 
for the best — that he was right to marry, and that I 
thanked God he had secured a wife who loved him, and 
whom I heard say so with her own lips.” 

“ You loved him very dearly, Nell ? ” 

Nell’s answer to this question was to sit down suddenly 
on the grass, and burst into tears, covering her poor face 
with her attenuated hands, and rocking herself to and fro 
in her speechless misery. Nora sat down beside her, and 
threw her arm round her waist. She remembered nothing 
then, but that here was — not her husband’s former mistress 
— but another woman, as loving, and as entitled to happi- 
ness as herself, who had lost by her gain. 

“Nell, Nell!” she whispered. “Poor, dear Nell! don’t 
cry. Ilfracombe remembers and loves you still. It is a 
cruel fate that has made our two lots so different. 0 poor 
Nell, don’t sob like that, or you will break my heart.” 

And the Countess put her arms round the other’s neck, 
and kissed the tears off her cheeks. The action recalled 
Nell to herself. 

Thank you,” she said, softly. “ Thank you so much. 
I shall not forget that you kissed me. But don’t think 
because I cry that I am discontented, or wish things al- 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


313 


tered from what they are. I know now they are all for the 
best. Only love him — love him all you are able, and have 
no more secrets from him, and may God bless you both.^’ 

“ I do love him! exclaimed Lady Ilfracombe; and now 
that you have given me back my peace of mind, I shall be able 
to show my love for him with a freer conscience. 0 it was 
terrible to feel his kisses, or hear his praises, and know all 
the time that that horrid man might carry his threats into 
execution at any moment, and make my husband hate and 
despise me. I wonder where Mr. Portland has gone? 
What will he find to say for himself when we next meet, I 
wonder ? 

Perhaps you may not meet him. Perhaps he will take 
good care to keep out of your way.^^ 

^^What a horrid, odious man he is! cried Nora. 
would rather be dead than married to such a man.^^ 

So would said Nell; “but my task is done, and I 
must go. Good-bye, Lady Ilfracombe. I am glad to think 
I have made you so.” 

“ But I shall see you again, Nell,” suggested the Countess. 
“We leave Usk to-morrow afternoon, but I shall tell the 
Earl that I have met you, and he will come with me to wish 
you good-bye.” 

NelPs eyes had a far-away look in them, as she an- 
swered: 

“ To-morrow morning, then. Lady Ilfracombe, bring 
your husband over to the farm to say good-bye to me. And 
that will be the last, last time, remember. After that I 
will trouble you no more.” 

“ You have never troubled me,” cried Nora, genially; 
“ indeed, I shall look back on this day in coming years, 
and say that you are the best friend I have ever had.” 

Nell turned to her quite brightly, as she replied: 

“Yes, yes, I hope you will. I should like to think that 
you and he thought of me sometimes as your truest, 
though humblest, friend. For that, indeed, I am to both 
of you.” 

“ I feel you are. I shall tell Ilfracombe so this very 
night,” said Nora. “ Kiss me once more, Nell, and thank 
you a thousand times. 0 how I wish I could repay you.” 

“You will repay me by making him happy. But — you 


314 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


wear a silk handkerchief, Lady Ilfracombe — if you would 
give me that, in remembrance of this meeting, I should 
prize it more than I can say.^^ 

Nora tore it impetuously off her throat. 

Take it,^^ she said, as she knotted it round that of Nell. 
How I wish you had asked for my jewelry case instead.^^ 
Nell smiled faintly. 

I never valued jewels much,” she replied, though there 
was a time when I had plenty to wear. But this soft little 
handkerchief that has touched your neck, it shall go with 
me to my grave.” 

So they parted, the Countess dancing up the meadow 
steep again, with her letters in her hand, as if earth held 
no further care for her, and Nell walking slowly down the 
incline that led to the road, her head bent upon her breast 
and her eyes cast to the ground. One — going up to the 
greatest joy that life holds for any woman, the love and 
faith of an honest man — the other going down to all that 
was abhorrent and loathly to her. The success of the one 
dependent on the failure of the other — the happiness of the 
one due to the despair of the other — the triumph of the one 
built on the sacrifice of the other. Nora, who had been 
self-willed and rebellious through life, saved from the effects 
of her escapade by Nell, who had borne her lot so patiently 
and accepted all her disappointments as righteous retribu- 
tion. It appears unequal, but it is the way things are 
worked in this world. The race is not always to the swift, 
nor the battle to the strong. In the next world, there will 
be dust and ashes for some of the great and fortunate ones 
of this earth, and crowns for the lowly and despised. And 
Nell Llewellyn^s crown will sparkle with jewels, as heaven 
is studded with its stars. 


315 


CHAPTER IX. 

As the Conntess Ilfracombe returned to the Hall with 
her packet of letters in her hand, her heart was very glad, 
hut at the same time it was filled with soberer thoughts 
than it had indulged in for some time past. What was, 
after all, the great difference between her and Hell Llew- 
ellyn ? She had not fallen, it was true — she had not openly 
disgraced herself — but what had her flirtation with Jack 
Portland been, if not a lowering of her womanly dignity; 
a soiling of her purity; a smirching of the delicate bloom 
and whiteness that should have protected her maidenly life 
as with a veil ? Xora felt terribly ashamed of herself, as 
she remembered it. Her great fear had passed away, thanks 
to XelPs interest and intrepidity, and her mind had time to 
think of other things. This poor, despised girl, had saved 
her from all sorts of horrors; preserved her husband's faith 
in her; his love for her; had placed in her hand, as it were, 
the whole happiness of her life. But she, herself — if she 
destroyed those letters, as she fully intended to do, how 
would she be any better than before — any more deserving 
of Ilfracombe's affection and confidence ? She would be 
safe, it is true; but safety did not constitute worthiness. 
And Nora had begun to long to deserve her husband's love 
— to he able to accept it with an unburdened conscience — 
feeling that there was nothing between them, not even a 
shadow cast from the past. Could she — she asked herself, 
as she wended homewards — ever summon up the courage 
to tell him everything; to make him the arbiter of her des- 
tiny; to constitute him her judge, and await the sentence 
he chose to pronounce upon her ? It would be very awful, 
she thought — terrible beyond description; she did not 
think she could possibly undergo such an ordeal. She pic- 
tured to herself Ilfracombe's stern face, as he listened to the 
unfolding of a tale so dissonant to his own feelings— so un- 
like all he had conceived of her — so dreadful to hear of the 
woman of whom he thought so highly; whom he had chosen 


316 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


for his wife, before all others. Nora shuddered when she 
thought thus, and told herself that it could not be; she 
Talued his good opinion and his affection too highly. But 
there was another side of the question. Without telling 
Lord Ilfracombe her own part in the matter, how could 
she convince him of the treachery of Jack Portland to- 
wards them both; how induce him to break off, once and 
forever, the dangerous intimacy which united them. Her 
husband might refuse to believe her mere word, as he had 
refused before. He was a loyal friend and a generous man. 
He would not judge any one on the unproved testimony of 
another person. Without the proof, which these letters 
€onveyed, would she have any more influence with him than 
she had had before, when he pooh-poohed her warnings as 
the idle fears of a well-meaning, but ignorant woman ? And 
had she the courage, for the sake of them both, and es- 
pecially for the sake of the husband whom she was begin- 
ning to love far better than she did herself, to brave the 
verdict of Ilfracombe’s displeasure, and tell him the whole 
truth? Nell had been courageous for both their sakes. 
Prom a worldly point of view, she had no particular reason 
to care for the Earl’s interests, still less for those of the 
wife who had supplanted her; yet she had braved being 
called a thief, and any other hard names Mr. Portland 
might have thought fit, in his rage, to cast at her, in order 
to do good to those who had, in a measure, wronged her. 
Nell was worth a thousand of Nora — so the wife of Ilfra- 
combe said, inwardly, as she dwelt on these things. And, 
musing after this fashion, she reached the Hall, not much 
happier than she had left it. It was true that she had 
regained possession of the letters which had made a night- 
mare of her married life, but they had not brought the 
peace with them which she had imagined they would. She 
was out of a certain danger, but she was still herself, that 
was what Nora thought — still a wife who had deceived her 
trusting husband, and would not be cleansed, in her own 
eyes, till she had made a full confession of her sin. It was 
contemplating the divine forgiveness which Nell had ex- 
tended to them both — the single-heartedness which she 
displayed; the patience and humility with which she bore 
her own sad lot, which was influencing Lady Ilfracombe, 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


317 


almost unconsciously, to imitate her, as far as lay in her 
power. 

Her indecision, combined with the promptings of the 
good angel within her, to do what was right, made Nora 
distraite and melancholy during the period of dressing for 
dinner; and when Lord Ilfracombe joined her, he chaffed 
her on the bad effects of botanizing with Jack. 

^^You had much better have come out with Lady Bow- 
mant and myself, Nora,^^ he said; ‘^we have had a rousing 
time; but you look as dull as ditch-water. What has old 
J ack been saying to you to quench your spirits ? 

Your dear, particular friend has not been saying any- 
thing at all to me, Ilfracombe. I have not set eyes on him. 
He did not keep his appointment.^^ 

The Earl suspended his operations of dressing, and turned 
round to regard her with surprise. 

Jack didn't turn up ? " he ejaculated. Why, what on 
earth can be the reason ? " 

I don't know," replied Nora, and, what's more, I don't 
care." 

Ah, my lady, that sounds very much like pique," ex- 
claimed her husband, laughing; but for Jack not to keep 
an appointment with you! I cannot understand such a 
thing. I hope nothing's the matter with him." 

What should be the matter ? Mr. Portland's like a bad 
halfpenny. He's bound to come back again." 

‘^And how did you spend your afternoon, then, darling ? 
asked the Earl. “ Wasn't it very stupid ? How I wish you 
had come with us instead." 

don't, Ilfracombe, for I have passed a very eventful 
afternoon. There is no time to tell you of it now, but you 
shall hear all when we find ourselves alone again. There's 
the second gong; we must go down. Now we shall hear 
what Mr. Portland has to say for himself." 

They heard it as soon as they entered the drawing-room, 
where their hosts were waiting for them. 

“ Our party will be smaller than usual to-night, I am 
sorry to tell you," said Lady Bowmant. I have just 
had a note from Mr. Portland to say he has been called 
away on important business till to-morrow. Isn't it extra- 
ordinary ? He doesn't say where or by whom. When did 


3ia 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


he get the summons ? That is what puzzles me. lie said 
nothing about it at luncheon; in fact, he settled to take a 
walk with you, if I am not mistaken. Lady Ilfracombe.^^ 

“ Yes, but he did not come,^^ answered Nora. 

“ I never knew old Jack to do such a thing in his life 
before,’^ remarked the Earl. He is generally so punctual 
in his engagements. And as for business, why, he has no 
business, except pleasure. The idlest, most unpractical 
man I ever knew. What can the matter be ? I am quite 
curious to learn.” 

‘AVell, we must manage to do without him to-night, at 
all events,” said Lady Bowmant, who appeared to be rather 
offended by the breach of politeness. I think Mr. Port- 
land might have given us a little more notice; but it is really 
of no consequence.” 

And he might have let my wife know he couldnT walk 
with her, instead of leaving her to cool her heels in the 
field waiting for him half the afternoon. I shall have a 
crow to pluck with Master Jack for this to-morrow.” 

Ilfracombe, do you really think it is worth while?” 
exclaimed Nora. I hope none of you will let him imagine 
that his absence was of the slightest consequence.” 

It becomes of consequence when he treats you with so 
little ceremony,” replied the Earl, as he offered his arm to 
his hostess to conduct her to the dining-room. 

Mr. Portland’s vagaries were not mentioned again during 
the evening, but when Lord Ilfracombe entered his wife’s 
room that night and found her resting on the sofa in her 
dressing-gown instead of fast asleep in bed, the subject was 
renewed between them.” 

Why, my darling, how is this ? ” he exclaimed. Is 
your book so interesting that you cannot tear yourself away 
from it, or are you not sleepy to-night ? ” 

“Neither,” answered Nora, gravely. “I was only wait- 
ing for my husband.” 

“And now you have your husband,” he answered, 
playfully, as he cast himself down beside her, “ what is 
it ? ” 

“ I want to have a little talk with you, Ilfracombe,” she 
said, seriously, “and I don’t know how to begin.” 

“ What is it all about, sweetheart ? ” he asked her, with 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


319 


a kiss. His manner was enough to disarm any amount of 
fears, but it was so confident that it made Nora still more 
nervous. 

I wish you wouldn’t kiss me,” she said, almost petu- 
lantly. I am going to tell you something about myself 
that will make you very angry, and then you will think I 
accepted your kisses on false pretences.” 

I am sorry to hear you say that, Nora,” he replied. 

But whatever you may have done, I can assure you of my 
forgiveness beforehand, so you can take my kiss as an in- 
stallment in advance.” 

Don’t you be too sure of that,” said his wife. It is 
something that happened before our marriage, and I wasn’t 
too good a girl then, I can assure you. I did all sorts of 
awful things, and I feel sure you will wish you had never 
married me, when you hear them.’" 

And why do you tell me of them now, my dear girl? 
We have been married a year, and you have never thought 
of doing such a thing before. Neither do I desire to hear 
anything about the past. Let it rest in peace. You know 
I was not a saint myself.” 

But you told me all about that, Ilfracombe, and I was 
so silly, I was too frightened to follow your example.” 

‘^But who dared to frighten you, darling? Couldn’t 
you trust your husband?” he said, tenderly. Nora snug- 
gled up close to his side, and buried her face in his bosom 
as she whispered: 

“No; because I loved you so, I was afraid of losing your 
love and esteem. If you knew what a wild, reckless girl I 
have been, Ilfracombe! Do you remember, one day, after 
we were engaged, when you asked me if I had ever had a 
lover before yourself, what I replied ? ” 

“ That you had had so many you couldn’t count them, I 
believe,” said the Earl, laughing. 

“ No, no, not that; but that there had been one man to 
whom I was engaged, but papa would not hear of our mar- 
riage because he had no money.” 

“ Yes. Well, what of him ? ” 

“ It was Mr. Portland,” said Nora, with her face still 
hidden. But her husband, in his astonishment, sat bolt 
upright, and put her away. 


320 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


Jack? 0 impossible! Nora, why did you not tell me 
of this before 

Because — 0 I am coming to that by and by. But in- 
deed, it is true. He was at Malta, you may remember, just 
at that time, two years before I met you, and staying with 
his sister, Mrs. Loveless. He told you he had met me there. 
He was very different in appearance then, from what he is 
now, and I flirted and ^ spooned ^ with him, till I fancied I 
was head over ears in love, and he incited me on to be far 
more wild than I had ever been before. When I look back, 
and think how young and foolish I was, I see he behaved 
very badly to me.^^ 

Tell me all, Nora,^^ said the Earl, sternly. 

I tvill tell you all — don't be afraid. I used to creep out 
of my father’s house after dinner, and meet Mr. Portland 
late at night, sometimes as late as twelve o’clock, and then 
sneak back again when every one had gone to bed. We 
used to sit under the orange trees for hours, talking, and 
all that sort of folly, you know ” 

0 yes, I know,” acquiesced the Earl, with a groan.) 
and one day we went out in a boat, and were 

caught in a squall, and had to stay away till the morning. 
We were with people all the time in a little inn, and papa 
never found out that Mr. Portland was with me, but he 
was.” 

“ Any more pleasant stories to tell me ? ” asked her hus- 
band. 

“ No; that is the worst (bad enough, too, isn’t it ?), as far 
as lam concerned; but I was foolish enough during that 
time, to write Jack a lot of letters. I used to write two and 
three times a day when I didn’t see him, and in them I 
spoke very freely of all the pranks we had played together. 
He wrote to me as well, of course; but, when we parted, I 
destroyed his letters, but he — kept mine.” 

“ Hasn’t he given them up to you ? ” demanded Ilfra- 
combe, quickly. 

1 have them now; but listen quietly to me, Ilfracombe, 
for a moment. You were rather vexed with me when we 
first came home to Thistlemere, because I did not welcome 
your bosom friend with the cordiality you wished me to 
extend to him. Why, if I had had courage to tell you the 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


321 


truth, you would have kicked him out of the house. For, 
from the moment we met again, whenever Mr. Portland 
has seen my disapproval of his influence over you in racing 
and gambling matters, he has held the threat over my head, 
that if I tried to dissuade you from throwing your money 
away, he would hand over those letters of mine, and make 
you hate and despise me as much as he did."’ 

The scoundrel ! said Ilfracombe, between his teeth. 
^^He has promised, over and over again, to restore me 
these letters,^’ continued Nora, ^^and again and again he 
has broken his word. He never meant to give them to me 
at all, I am convinced of that. He knew that, as soon as I 
got them in my own hands, I should have the courage to 
speak to you and prove to you how unworthy he is.^^ 
^‘How did you get them at last, then, Nora?” 

Now comes the hardest part of my confession, Ilfra- 
combe, and I shall never be able to make it whilst you look 
at me like that.” 

The Earl tried to smile, as he replied* 

I am not angry with you, Nora, only utterly disgusted 
with Jack for turning out such a low blackguard, and 
with myself for being so blind as to believe him to be an 
honorable man.” 

But you will be angry with me for this. Two nights 
ago he told me that if I went over to his room at the farm 
I should receive my letters — and I ii'ent” 

“ You visited Portland at hissleeping apartments? 0 
Nora, I thought you had too much pride in your position 
as my wife — too much respect for yourself to do such a 
thing! ” 

I would not have gone for anything but those letters,” 
she cried. “ 0 Ilfracombe, believe me and forgive me I I 
never was a liar. He said they were in his dispatch-box, and 
I was fool enough to believe him, and fell into the trap. And 
when I got there, he declared that he had made a mistake, 
and must have left them in town — all lies — all lies!” 

“ Then how did you get them at last ? ” 

He wrote me a note this morning — here it is,” said 
Nora, as she produced it from her blotting case, ^^to say he 
had telegraphed for the packet and it had arrived from 
town, and if I would meet him in the meadow this after- 


322 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


noon I should receive them. That was the secret of my 
taking a walk with him, you see, Ilfracombe. I take a 
walk voluntarily with the brute ! I would rather be hanged 
any day,^^ cried Nora, impetuously. 

But he never came, you say ? 

^^No; but some one else did. Can you guess who it 
was? That Miss Llewellyn, from the farm — she is really 
your girl; she is no more drowned than I am, and 0 she 
is so sweet and nice! However did 3^011 come to give her 
up for me ? 

“DonT talk nonsense, Nora! said the Earl. “1 knew 
some days back that Nell is still alive, but thought it just 
as well not to mention the subject to you. But did she 
bring you your letters ? 

‘‘'Yes, she did, the dear, good girl! She was at her bed- 
room window, which overlooks Portland's, when I went 
there, and heard my entreaties to him to return my letters 
and his brutal, sarcastic replies; so, as soon as I was gone, 
she confronted him and made him give them up to her — 
how, she did not tell me — only he did, and she brought 
them to me. 0 I was glad ! I kissed her a dozen times for 
her kindness.” 

“ But why did she do it ? ” demanded the Earl. “ I can- 
not understand her interest in the matter, nor how she 
induced Portland to do what you could not. It was like 
Nell; she always was resolute and plucky, but what was the 
motive ? ” 

“ Her love for you, Ilfracombe,” replied his wife, gravely, 
“and her desire to keep your name untarnished. 0 you 
have never known what was in her noble nature, that is 
very clear. She is twice the woman I am, or ever shall be. 
She ought to have been your wife, and she is fit for it.” 

“Nora, Nell is a good girl, and I deeply regret the part 
I played in soiling her life; but there is only one wife in 
the world for me, and she is by my side. It was very good 
of poor Nell, very generous, very kind, to have done what 
she has for you, and we must think of some means of 
repaying her. And I am glad to tell you, for her sake and 
my own, that she is going to be married herself. She came 
to see me this morning about some business of her father’s, 
and told me the news.” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


323 


“Going to be married ! repeated Nora, with womanly 
intuition; “are you sure? She did not mention such a 
thing to me. And she looked so sad, and spoke so sadly, 
she made me cry. I don’t think she can be going to be 
married. And when I asked her what 1 could do to return 
her kindness, she said: ^ Love him with all your heart and 
soul and never have a secret from him again.’ ” 

“ And do you, Nora ? ” whispered Ilfracombe. 

“What?” 

“ Love me with all your heart and soul?” 

She turned and threw her arms about his neck. 

“I do, I do! my darling, and never so much as at this 
moment. Neither will I ever have a secret from you 
again. There are the letters,” she continued, as she drew 
the packet from her pocket and placed it in his hand. 
“ They were written so long ago that I don’t remember 
what is in them; but whatever it may be, good, bad or in- 
different, read it all, dear, and judge me as you will. At 
all events, you will know the worst, and I need not fear 
that I am claiming your love under false pretences, for the 
future.” 

“ And so this is the poor little packet that has kept us 
apart for so long,” murmured the Earl, as he regarded it, 
“ but, thank God, has not been powerful enough to sever 
us from each other’s confidence forever. And you give me 
leave to do what I will with it — to read its contents from 
end to end ? ” 

“Yes, yes, only be quick over it. The suspense of your- 
decision is so hard to bear. Perhaps — who knows, Ilfra- 
combe ? — after you have seen the folly I have written to 
another man, you may not wish to have anything to do 
with me again.” 

“Yes; I should think that was very probable,” remarked 
the Earl, with quiet amusement, as he placed the packet in 
the empty grate and lighted a match under it. “ See, 
Nora, that is how I read your poor little love-letters of long 
ago. How very amusing they are! But, confound the 
things, they won’t burn. Come, that’s better. They’re 
blazing up beautifully now. And I only wish I could see 
Mr. Jack Portland blazing up with them! ” 

Lady Ilfracombe looked up joyfully. 


324 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


0 darling, is that true ? she exclaimed. Shall we 
never have our happiness interrupted more, by looking on 
him again ? 

Why, rather not. What do you take me for ? Do you 
think I would associate with the man who has played you 
such a dirty trick, and nearly upset our married happi- 
ness? No, my dearest, I value you too much for that. Mr. 
Portland has seen the last of any house which owns me as 
master.^’ 

0 Ilfracombe, you have made me so exquisitely happy. 

0 how I wish poor Nell were as happy as I am. I told 
her we were leaving Usk to-morrow, and promised that we 
would go over to the farm together first, and wish her 
farewell. You will come with me, won^t you, darling?” 

“ Of course I will, since you wish it. You have behaved 
in a most generous manner regarding this young woman, 
Nora, and I shall never forget it. That reminds me that, 
according to my promise to her this morning, I have been 
sounding Sir Archibald as to the chance of being able to 
purchase Panty-cuckoo Farm, and I find he is quite ready 
to sell it at a reasonable price. I fancy they are getting 
rather hard-up on account of her ladyship’s extravagance. 
So I intend to close with him, and make over the title- 
deeds to Nell as a wedding present. She refused to let me 
make any provision for her, as I think I told you, but this 

1 shall insist upon.” 

Yes, do; it was just like her, dear thing, to refuse your 
money. Ilfracombe, you owe her a great deal. She was 
very much attached to you. I could see that by every word 
she said.” 

^•Hush, Nora dear, don’t allude to it now. You women 
are apt to grow sentimental when you get together, talking 
over the same man. She cared for me well enough — so did 
I for her, but you see we are both going to be married, and 
live happy ever afterwards. That is the end of most fairy 
tales, whether they happen in this worldor the other. Kiss 
me, my own darling, and tell me once more that you love 
me. That is the only thing that concerns us now.” 


325 


CHAPTER X. 

Mr. Portland had two reasons for not appearing at Usk 
Hall on the evening of the day he married Nell Llewellyn. 
In the first place, he did not fancy seeing the Countess 
again after she had heard the truth about her letters — in 
the second, he foresaw more difficulty in getting away if 
he left it till after dinner. To have received a summons, 
to London by telegraph or post in the afternoon, and to 
have been compelled to quit Usk at once, seemed more 
feasible to him, than to announce his determination before 
the assembled company, to be submitted to their cross- 
questioning — sent to the railway station in Sir Archibald’s 
carriage; perhaps accompanied by the genial host himself 
— and to have to bribe the servants to conceal the fact that 
he never went at all. After that evening, so he argued, 
when all the world must know that he had married Nell, 
he would not mind confessing the little ruse to which he 
had had recourse, and felt sure of receiving sympathy and 
forgiveness. So he went to The Three Pilchards ” and 
engaged his rooms, and ordered his dinner in a state of 
pleased expectancy. The accommodation was not very 
grand — the cuisine would not, doubtless, be first-rate, but 
Nell had never been a iiourmande nor a sybarite, and Mr. 
Portland pleased himself with thinking how well he would 
treat her in the future. What with the various race meet- 
ings he had attended, he had been pretty lucky lately, and 
the visit to Usk Hall had not failed to recoup him still 
more. He would be able to take his wife abroad to Paris 
or Italy, if she so wished it, and show her a little life. 
Perhaps, though, it would be better to run over to Monte 
Carlo or Homburg, and so combine business with pleasure. 
How divinely handsome she was, ^^a daughter of the gods, 
divinely tall, and most divinely fair.” With what envious 
eyes he would be followed by the frequenters of the places 
he thought of. He had little fear that his wife would 
be recognized by the herd as Lord Ilfracombe’s former 


326 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


mistress. She had kept herself too much at home for that, 
and had hardly ever been seen in public whilst living with 
the Earl. It would only be a few of his intimates who would 
be likely to know her again. And Jack Portland would not 
have concerned himself about it if they had. He had mar- 
ried his wife for himself — not for the world, and it was 
welcome to think what it liked of his choice. A few old 
cats, whose virtue had never been attacked during the best 
part of a century, might turn up their noses at her, but 
Nell was strong enough to hold her own, and so was he. If 
a thought crossed his mind that Ilfracombe, on hearing of 
his marriage with Nell,* might insist on giving her as a 
wedding portion what she had refused as a peace offering, 
we must do him the justice to say that it had no weight 
with him, excepting as it might prove the EarPs good feel- 
ing towards them both, and be the precursor of a renewed 
intimacy. For, if something of the kind did not interfere. 
Jack Portland felt that the condition Nell had made re- 
garding the packet of letters would prove the quietus to 
his friendship with Ilfracombe. If the Countess told her 
husband the whole truth, he would never receive him 
again. Of that he was certain. But there was the chance 
that, for her own sake, Nora would not tell him the truth; 
and in that case, if he heard of the marriage first, he might 
never be told of the other little affair at all; and the 
Countess, secure of herself, might join her husband in ex- 
tending her hospitality to him. This was what Mr. Port- 
land was dreaming of, as he sat in the parlor of The Three 
Pilchards,^'’ smoking, and waiting for NelPs arrival. As 
the time went on and she did not appear, he grew rather 
fidgety. He had had his dinner at his usual hour of 
seven, but, as nine o^clock sounded, it struck him that Nell 
might expect to see supper waiting for her, so rang the 
bell to order it. 

‘AVhat have you in the house? What can I have for 
supper ? 

‘‘Supper, sir?^’ echoed the country waiter, who, though 
he could play a very pretty tune with a knife and fork 
himself, was rather taken aback at the gentleman requiring 
supper at nine after a hearty dinner at seven. 

“Yes. Are you deaf? I expect my wife here soon 


A BA^^KRUPT HEART. 


327 


and she may require something to eat. What can we 

We have a joint of cold beef in the house, sir, and a 
veal and 'am pie, and " 

None of those will do. I want something hot." 

A chicken, sir, with'a cauliflower and potatoes?" sug- 
gested the waiter. 

Yes, yes. The best you have, whatever it may he. Get 
it ready as soon as you can. My wife may be here at any 
moment. Another bottle of that champagne, too, which I 
had at dinner. Cursed bad stuff," he added to himself, as 
the servant left the room, but women don't know the 
difference. Well, who would ever have thought I could 
have stood such discomfort as this, with so good a grace, 
for the sake of a woman. But such a woman. I don't be- 
lieve she has her peer in England. As for that little, sharp- 
featured, flirting, deceitful Countess, she can't hold a can- 
dle to her. What fools and blind men are, with regard to 
women. It is quite impossible to decide why one piece of 
femininity should hold them, as in a vice, whilst they pass 
over, or ignore the virtues of another. Now, to my mind, 
Nell combines all the perfections of which human nature 
is capable. She is beautiful — amiable (a bit of a temper, 
but she very seldom shows it, and a woman is worth noth- 
ing without a spice of the devil in her) — dignified, sensible 
and modest. She would have made a magnificent Coun- 
tess — beaten Lady D , and Lady S , and all the 

other Court beauties hollow. However, I'm very glad Il- 
fracombe didn't see it in that light, and that the crumbs 
from the rich man's table have fallen to my share. Hang 
it all! What a time she is. It's nearly ten. Surely she 
isn’t going to play off any airs and graces on me, and pose 
as a blushing bride ? Or is it only a womanly dodge to 
make her welcome more assured ? She needn't fear miss- 
ing it. I never felt so much for any woman in my life be- 
fore. I almost think, if she thought it worth her while, 
that she might make a better man of me. I wonder if she 
will learn to love me — I know what her love for that ass, 
Ilfracombe, was, and that it is worth a man's trying for. I 
wonder — I wonder — By Jove! that's the half hour striking.' 
Whatever can be the reason of this delay? AVaiter!" con- 


328 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


tinued Mr. Portland to the man, who now appeared with 
the supper, is that half past ten that struck just now ? 
Surely, your clocks must be very fast.'’^ 

Don't think so, sir. I heard the missus asking the 
master to put 'em on a bit just now. Do you think the 
lady will come to-night, sir ? " 

Of course she will. AVhat do you mean by asking me 
such a question ?" 

“ Only, you see, sir, we're obliged to close at eleven, 
whether we like or no, so the missus told me to ask you 
if " 

“Here," exclaimed Jack Portland, quickly; “get me pen 
and ink and paper at once. I must send a messenger up to 
Panty-cuckoo Farm." 

“ Panty-cuckoo Farm ! " repeated the waiter — “ Mr. Llew- 
ellyn's place ? That be better than a mile and an 'arf away 
from here, sir. It'll take a good bit of time to carry a letter 
there to-night." 

“ Never mind. I'm willing to pay for it, and for keep- 
ing you up as well. But the message must be carried by 
some one. Whom have you to send ? " 

“ I expect the 'ostler can go, but I'll ask the missus," re- 
plied the waiter, as he went to consult the higher powers. 

In a few minutes he returned to say the hostler would take 
the letter, and Mr. Portland disjjatched his missive on its 
way. It contained but a very few words. Only: 

“ What is the reason of this delay ? Pray come at once. 
Am waiting here imjoatiently. Jack." 

He did not know into whose hands it might, fall, so 
thought it best to be as curt as possible. And then he sat 
down to get through the time as best he might till his 
messenger returned. How trying are the moments when 
we wait in utter darkness the explanation of some mystery 
which is inexplicable to us! AVhat a thousand and one 
fancies rush through our brain as we attempt to penetrate 
what is impenetrable! How we “ think " it may be that — 
or we “fancy " it must be this — or we “fear "the other. 
Then, tired out with conjecture, we resolve not to think at 
all, but wait the natural sequence of events — only to fall 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


329 


back upon fancy, and worry ourselves to death with imagi- 
nation. And, after all, it usually turns out to be nothing 
— a bogey conjured up by our anxiety — due, as likely as 
not, to the selfishness of our friend, who had not sufficient 
feeling for us to suspect what we were suffering on his 
behalf. W e have all, at some time or other, experienced the 
feeling of which Mr. Portland was suffering now. Yes, 
actually suffermg ! 

This selfish, immoral, dishonorable man had found his 
match at last in fate. Nell Llewellyn was the one creature 
who had ever awakened any better or higher feelings in his 
hardened heart, and he was suffering the agony of thinking 
that she might have repented of her bargain and meant to 
play him false, as he had played so many other people. The 
hostler took his time to walk to Panty-cuckoo Farm. He 
was going to be paid for his trouble, under any circum- 
stances, so he didn’t see the fun of hurrying himself. Be- 
sides, the farm was more than a mile away, and one mile 
makes two, on a dark night. So it was twelve o’clock before 
the waiter reappeared with Mr. Portland’s own note on a 
salver. 

If you please, sir, the hostler, he ’ave been to Panty- 
cuckoo Farm, but everybody’s abed, and he couldn’t make 
no one hear.” 

Couldn’t make anybody hear !” exclaimed Jack Port- 
land, starting to his feet. What was the fool about ? 
Why didn’t he knock till he did make some one hear ? 
What was the good of his going, when he only brings me 
my own note back again ? ” 

‘MV ell, sir, he did throw stones at the bedroom winders, 
but no one took no notice of ’im, so Joe, he thought ’twas 
no use waiting about there any longer at this time o’ night, 
so he bringed the note back again; and perhaps you’d 
like me to send it up the fust thing in the morning.” 

“ No, no,” replied Jack Portland, angrily; “the ’ostler is a 

d d fool for his pains, and you may tell him I said so. Leave 

the note on the table and leave the room. I wish to be alone.” 

“ Are we to shut up, sir ? Will the lady come to-night, 
do you think ? The last train was in an hour ago.” 

“Shut up, shut up! yes. Do anything you like, I don’t 
care, so long as you leave me alone,” was the reply. 


330 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


Yes, sir, certainly. And what time would you like to 
be called in the morning, sir?^^ 

“ 0 go to the devil ! cried Portland, furiously, as the 
man disappeared, repeating his usual formula of Yes, 
sir, thank you, sir,^^ and left him to his disappointment 
and conjectures. 

What could be the matter? Where was Nell? AYhat 
was she doing? What did she mean? These were the 
questions that repeated themselves over and over in his 
brain, and which received no answer till the following 
morning. He would have his answer then, he thought. 
He would go up to Panty-cuckoo Farm the very first thing, 
and tell the Llewellyns of his marriage to their daughter, 
and, if need be, take his wife back with him by force. No 
power on earth could prevent that. But it was not the sort 
of honeymoon he had promised himself. 

Meanwhile, Lord and Lady Ilfracombe were saying to 
each other, as we have seen before: “We will go over to 
the farm to-morrow morning and say good-by to Nell, and 
tell her of all the good things we mean to do for her when 
she is married.'’^ And so, at last, they all slept, the husband 
and wife locked in each other’s arms — Jack Portland rest- 
lessly, and starting up every now and then to remember 
his disappointment with an oath — and Nell Llewellyn slept 
also, the sweetest and most peaceful sleep of them all. 

She had gone straight home to her parents when she 
parted with Nora, and had passed a very pleasant evening 
with them. The old people had been particularly cheer- 
ful. Rennie, the cow, had quite recovered, and was giving 
her milk as well as ever, and Sir Archibald Bowmant had 
met the farmer on his way home, and intimated to him 
that he was likely to have a change of landlords. 

“I do think,” said Mr. Llewellyn, “as his lordship buy- 
ing the old farm is the grandest thing I’ve ever heard on. 
And if it come to pass (and Sir Archibald spoke of it as a 
settled thing), mother and me, we shall feel as we owe it 
all to you, my lass, sha’n’t us, mother ? ” 

“ Yes, indeed,” acquiesced the old woman. “ It’s all due 
to Nell, there’s no question of that. It was a fortunate 
day for us when you took service with the Earl, Nell, 
though we were both set agen your going to London at 


A BAI^KRUPT HEART. 


331 


the time. But there, one never knows how things will turn 

Nell looked gratified by her parents^ approval. She had 
been more serious and silent than usual that evening, but 
now she seemed to brighten up, and talked with them of 
all they should do and say when Lord Ilfracombe came to 
tell them of his kindness in person. 

^^Aye, but that will be a grand occasion,^^ quoth her 
mother, “and you must do credit to it, my lass. I daresay 
the Earl will bring his lady with him, and we must all put 
on our Sunday best to do them honor. 

“Mother,'^ said Nell, presently, “I have something to 
tell you. I saw Lady Ilfracombe in the fields this after- 
noon, and she said that she and the Earl intended to call 
here to-morrow morning. They are going to leave Usk 
Hall to-morrow afternooTi, and so I daresay they will take 
this opportunity to tell father about the farm. You 
mustn’t go out to-morrow, father, till you have seen them.” 

“ I go out ? ” exclaimed the farmer, “ on such an occa- 
sion ! I should think not. AVhy, no one in the house shall 
stir till they’re come and gone. Has the parlor been swept 
to-day ? for, if not, you and mother will have to stay up till 
it’s done. I couldn’t have his lordship sitting down in a 
dusty room. That wouldn’t be the way to make him think 
us good tenants.” 

“A dusty room!” cried the old woman, indignantly. 
“ W e’ve been man and wife, now, for five and twenty years 
come Michaelmas, Griffith Llewellyn, and you can’t name 
the day you’ve ever seen my parlor dusty yet. The Queen 
herself, God bless her, might enter it any day in the week 
and not soil her royal robes.” 

“Well, well! Wife, there’s enough words about that,” 
said her husband. “I’m proud to hear his lordship’s com- 
ing to Panty-cuckoo, and glad that Nell gave us warning 
of it. Did you find an opportunity to ask if there’s a 
chance of your entering the Earl’s service again, my girl ? ” 
he continued, to his daughter. 

Nell left her seat and approached her father’s side, wind- 
ing her arm round the old man’s neck and laying her cheek 
gently against his. 

No, dear father,” she said; “ I didn’t mention the sub- 


332 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


ject. I don^t think I shall ever go to service again, dear! I 
am not so strong as I was, and it would be too hard for me.'’’ 

She strangled a kind of sob in her throat as she pro- 
ceeded: 

I have been a great burden on you for the last year, 
father, but I won’t be so much longer. If I can’t go to 
service, I will provide for myself some way, never fear 
that.” 

Aye, my lass, it will be as well. You’re a bonny lass, 
there’s no denying, but you don’t seem to care much for 
marriage, and when your mother and me is gone, you’ll 
have a sore shift to provide for yourself, if you have no 
work to do. I mentioned his lordship’s service because it 
seems to me as it has left you pretty well unfit for any- 
thing else. Your hands and face, and your constitootion 
ain’t fit for a farm-house, Nell, and that’s the truth. They 
improved you and they spiled you both, up in London. 
You’re fitter for the town than the country —any one could 
see that with half an eye. But you’re a good girl, my dear, 
and mother and me, we both say that.” 

Thank you, father,” she replied, as she kissed him 
several times — more times than were necessary, according 
to the rough old farmer’s ideas — and then did the same by 
her mother. 

Good-night, dear, dear mother,” she murmured, fer- 
vently. “ You’ve been a good mother to your poor, thought- 
less, useless Nell.” 

Aye, that I have,” replied Mrs. Llewellyn, with the 
beautiful self-assurance of the poor; but you’re worth it, 
all the same.” 

Thank you, dear. God bless you!” said Nell, gently, 
as she prepared to leave the room. At the door she turned, 
and stood regarding the two old people with her lovely 
hazel eyes, as if she could not gaze enough at them. 

You’re a rare fool! ” cried her mother, gaily. “ There, 
run away to your bed, do, and get up wiser in the morning.” 

And then, as her daughter, with a solemn smile, disap- 
peared, she remarked to her husband: 

I’m sometimes half afeared, father, if that girl ain’t a 
bit mazed; she do look at one so queer with them big eyes 
of hers. Did you notice her just now ? ” 


A BANKRUPT HEART. 


333 


Not I/’ replied the farmer. I've other things to do 
besides noticing a maid's eyes. So now come along to bed, 
wife, and forget all such rubbish, for we'll liave to be up 
betimes to make ready to receive his lordship." 

And the old couple went up to their room, laughing and 
cackling as they passed Nell's door. 

And, as they did so, the clock struck nine. 

She heard it as she stood in her bedroom, with her hands 
clasped in front of her, dazed and bewildered. The world 
seemed to have closed on her with her parents' good-night 
kisses — all the people in it appeared to have become indis- 
tinct and blurred. They were fading away before her 
mental vision, one by one — the Earl and his Countess — 
Jack Portland — Hugh Owen — her father and mother — 
Hetty, every one. Nell felt she had done with them all 
forever. At one moment she thought of writing to Hugh 
Owen. He had loved her and had great hopes of her, and 
she had dashed them all aside. She was sorry for his dis- 
appointment and his broken faith. Should she write and 
tell him so ? But what could she say, except that the man 
he saw with her was her former lover; and if he discovered 
him to be the Earl, there would be another unpleasantness 
for Ilfracombe. 0 no; her life had been all a muddle and 
a mistake; it was best to leave it so. She could not un- 
ravel it, and the more she touched it, the more entangled 
it became. Best to remain silent to the last. Not a 
thought of Jack Portland entered her head. She had made 
a certain compact with him, and she had meant to end it 
like this all along. But she moved across the room with a 
soft, lingering step and eyes that seemed already covered 
with the film of death, and gazed from the window that 
looked toward the house where he was sleeping. 

Good-bye," she murmured, indistinctly, good-bye! " 
And then Nell turned away, and, taking hold of a chair, 
dragged it to the wardrobe, and, mounting on it, took 
down the bottle of poison, for which her mother had told 
her to write a label. 


THE END. 


White . Cross . Literature 


THE OTHER WORLD AND THIS. 

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CHAS. B. REED, Publisher, 


164, 166 4,168 FULTON STREET, N. Y. 






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